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Introduction: Scorpion sting is a major public health problem in developing countries, especially in villagers. Manifestations include vomiting, profuse sweating, piloerection, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, loss of sphincter control and priapism. Stimulation of Alpha receptor results in hypertension, tachycardia, myocardial dysfunction, pulmonary edema and cool extremities. Aims: The study is undertaken to know the clinical profile of the patients with scorpion sting. Methods and Materials: prospective study was conducted from October 2011 to September 2013 at Mamata General Hospital, khammam in adult patients 18yrs and above with history of scorpion sting. Detailed physical examination and grading of envenomation was done. Results: Eighty two patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the time period studied. Fifty two patients (62.25%) were male and thirty (37.50%) were female. Mean age of patients with scorpion sting was 31.23±7.23 years. Pain (87.50%),Sweating (81.25%) tingling & numbness (77.50%) were the most common presenting symptoms Conclusion: The present study shows that scorpion bite is more common in males. Local pain and signs of sympathetic over activity were the commonest features.
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OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a government funded asthma medication programme on paediatric (age # 12 years) asthma hospital admissions in Antigua and Barbuda. METHODS: A retrospective review of all hospital admissions for asthma in children was performed for the six years before and six years after a Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) programme was established in 1997 to provide asthma medications at no out-of-pocket cost. Holberton Hospital records (1992 to 2003) which include all paediatric asthma admissions in Antigua and Barbuda, were reviewed. RESULTS: Paediatric admissions for asthma fell from mean ± standard deviation of 77.0 ± 24.8 per year before the MBS programme was started to 48.0 ± 17.1 per year (p < 0.05) after the MBS programme was started. The number of multiple admissions fell from 18.7 ± 2.7 to 9.5 ± 4.8 (p < 0.005) and the number of children admitted multiple times per year fell from 7.8 ± 1.9 to 4.7 ± 2.5 (p < 0.05). The number of children aged four to nine years admitted with asthma fell from 7.8 per 1000 annually during 1992 to 1997 to 4.4 per 1000 per year during 1998 to 2003. CONCLUSIONS: The government funded MBS programme for asthma medication has resulted in a 38% decrease in hospital admissions for paediatric asthma over a six-year period. The benefits of a similar programme in other developing countries should be considered.
OBJETIVO: Evaluar el efecto de un programa de medicación subvencionado por el Gobierno, sobre los ingresos por asma al hospital pediátrico (edad # 12 años) en Antigua y Barbuda. MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un examen retrospectivo de todos los casos de niños ingresados al hospital por asma, durante los seis años previos y los seis años posteriores a la puesta en marcha del programa de beneficios médicos, conocido como Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS). Dicho programa fue establecido en 1997 con el propósito de ofrecer medicamentos para asmáticos, sin costo alguno. Se examinaron las historias clínicas del Hospital Holberston, de 1992 al 2003, las cuales incluían todos los ingresos pediátricos por asma en Antigua. RESULTADOS: Los ingresos pediátricos por asma descendieron de un promedio ± desviación estándar de 77.0 ± 24.8 por año antes de que comenzara el programa MBS, 48.0 ± 17.1 por año (p < 0.05) después del comienzo del programa MBS. El número de ingresos múltiples descendió de 18.7 ± 2.7 a 9.5 ± 4.8 (p < 0.005) y el número de niños ingresados múltiples veces por año disminuyó de 7.8 ± 1.9 a 4.7 ± 2.5 (p < 0.05). El número de niños de cuatro a nueve años de edad, ingresados por asma, descendió de 7.8 por 1000 anualmente de 1992 a 1997 hasta 4.4 por 1000 por año, de 1998 a 2003. CONCLUSIONES: El programa MBS para la medicación por asma, subvencionado por el gobierno, ha tenido por resultado una disminución del 38% de los ingresos hospitalarios infantiles a causa de asma por un período de seis años. Debe tomarse en consideración los beneficios de posibles programas similares en otros países en vías de desarrollo.