Hearing loss and its relationship with blood pressure among workers exposed to noise in a brewery / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To investigate the health status of workers exposed to noise in a brewery in Beijing and to analyze the relationship between hearing loss and blood pressure. Methods A total of 949 noise-exposed workers in a brewery who participated in occupational health examination were selected as the investigation subjects. A survey was conducted to investigate the pure tone hearing threshold and abnormal blood pressure of the workers with different characteristics, and to analyze the relationship between the two. Results Among the noise-exposed workers, the detection rates of hearing abnormality, hypertension, and increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 73.55%, 52.37%, 43.84% and 46.47%, respectively. The detection rates of hearing abnormality, indicators of hypertension, high frequency hearing threshold abnormality and increased binaural high frequency hearing threshold on average in males were higher than those in females (P 0.05), the detection rates of other hearing abnormality, indicators of hypertension, speech frequency hearing threshold abnormality, high frequency hearing threshold abnormality，increased binaural high frequency hearing threshold on average and the weighted value of the better ear's hearing threshold all increased or had an increasing trend with the increase of age or working years (P< 0.05). The detection rates of hypertension in the groups with high frequency hearing threshold abnormality and increased binaural high frequency hearing threshold on average were higher than those in the normal group (P＜0.05). Conclusion The noise-exposed workers in the brewery have hearing impairment, which is related to the occurrence of hypertension. It is recommended to strengthen the publicity and education on noise protection and take protective measures to reduce the occurrence of occupational noise injury.

Lepromatous Spectrum -Unnoticed Or Overlooked Retrospective Analysis Of Lepromatous Spectrum Of Hansen's Disease In A Tertiary Care Centre

Introduction: Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous disease presents variedly depending on the patient's immune status at the time of infection. In this study, we are planning to perform a retrospective analysis to characterise the trend of Lepromatous spectrum of Hansen's disease cases registered in Tertiary care centre. To analyse the incidence,Aim: clinical patterns and variants of Lepromatous spectrum of Hansen's disease cases registered in Tertiary care centre. Objectives: To describe the epidemiological trend of Lepromatous Spectrum of Hansen's Disease and its clinical variants. A Retrospective observational study involving Lepromatous spectrum of Hansen's diseaseMethodology cases registered in leprosy clinic in last 5 years (2017-2021). Patient demographic details, duration of disease, clinical presentations , investigation details like slit skin smear, biopsy reports, treatment data was extracted from the Leprosy case register and data analysis was done in this study. 129 leprosy patients (BL-69, LL-43, Histoid-15, PureResults neuritic-2) reported during the period of 2017 to 2021[ 5 years]. 2018and 2019 had maximum number of cases approximately 30 new cases of leoromatous leprosy . Hypopigmented patches and glove & stocking anaesthesia seen in 59.8% cases, skin nodules seen in 45.7%, earlobe infiltration seen in 21.7%, epistaxis &saddle nose deformity seen in 4.3%, gynaecomastia seen in 2.2%, trophic ulcer seen in 26.1% at the time of presentation mainly involving the foot followed by hands, only nerve involvement without skin lesion present in 1.1% of cases. Claw hand was the most common deformity witnessed . The presence of Wartenberg sign was observed in 10 patients. Apart from ulnar and common peroneal nerve involvement present in 100 %of the patients, other peripheral nerves were involved in significant number of patients.All these patients showed positive acid fast bacilli in slit skin smear . Active surveillanceConclusion and early detection of the disease are imperative to prevent the spread of M. leprae. It is essential for timely implementation of treatment which will prevent deformities and disabilities. Active case detection plays the major role in early diagnosis of leprosy.

Pure White Cell Aplasia Associated with Secondary Hemophagocytosis: Experience from the Indus Hospital

Pure white cell aplasia (PWCA), also known as agranulocytosis without granulopoiesis, is an uncommon condition that causes neutropenia. If linked with thymomas or medication-induced PWCA, surgical thymectomyor drug cessation may be therapeutically helpful. Here we present the case of an adult 18-year-old male came at The Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN) , Karachi in-patient department (IPD) with a complaint of colicky abdominal pain and loose stools for 10 days that were watery in consistency and large in amount, 6-7 episodes per day, for which he was taking flagyl. 5 days later, the patient developed high grade fever (102°F) with on and off chills that regressed on antipyretic. The patient also had decreased appetite and 2-3 episodes of vomiting. He had a history of dengue fever and Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery (PICA).Laboratory work-up revealed that he had been suffering from severe neutropenia. His bone marrow biopsy indicated absolute neutropenia with normocellular bone marrow demonstrating virtually total lack of myeloid progenitors, with maintenance of erythroid and megakaryocytic lineages, findings strongly indicative of PWCA with secondary hemophagocytosis. Findings of the case highlights the importance of an unusual clinical condition PWCA with hemophagocytosis. The aggressive clinical course of the idiopathic variant necessitates early immunosuppressive treatment.

Análise de limiares tonais de crianças submetidas ao reimplante: seguimento de 10 anos / Analysis of aided thresholds in children who have undergone cochlear reimplantation: a ten-year follow-up

RESUMO Objetivo Caracterizar os limiares auditivos nas frequências de 500, 1000, 2000 e 4000 Hz em crianças submetidas ao reimplante com follow-up de no mínimo 10 anos. Método Revisão retrospectiva de prontuários de crianças submetidas a cirurgia de reimplante há pelo menos 10 anos. Foram avaliados os limiares auditivos obtidos na audiometria tonal liminar em campo livre com o implante coclear nas frequências de 500, 1000, 2000 e 4000 Hz em quatro momentos distintos: 1 (antes da falha), 2 (ativação), 3 (cinco anos após o reimplante) e 4 (dez anos após o reimplante, independentemente do tempo de uso do uso do 2o IC) em pacientes com follow-up de no mínimo 10 anos. Resultados Avaliando-se pacientes submetidos ao reimplante, observou-se que os limiares de 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz apresentaram-se a longo prazo semelhante àqueles obtidos nos pacientes implantados somente uma única vez, não apresentando prejuízo assim na detecção dos sons. Conclusão O reimplante não teve efeito de longo prazo sobre os limiares auditivos obtidos em crianças que se submeteram a esta cirurgia por falha do componente interno.

ABSTRACT Purpose To characterize hearing thresholds at frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz in children undergoing reimplantation with a follow-up of at least 10 years. Methods Retrospective review of medical records of children who underwent reimplantation surgery for at least 10 years. The auditory thresholds obtained in free-field pure tone audiometry with the cochlear implant were evaluated at frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz at four different times: 1 (before failure), 2 (activation), 3 (five years after reimplantation) and 4 (ten years after reimplantation, regardless of the time of use of the 2nd CI) in patients with a follow-up of at least 10 years. Results Evaluating patients who underwent reimplantation, it was observed that the thresholds of 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz were similar in the long term to those obtained in patients who were implanted only once, thus not presenting damage in the detection of sounds. Conclusion Reimplantation had no long-term effect on the hearing thresholds obtained in children who underwent this surgery due to internal component failure.

Treatment of Patients with Mediate-Risk Pure Ground Glass Pulmonary Nodules Based on the State Theory：A Prospective Randomize-controlled Clinical Observation / 中医杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of treating mediate-risk pure ground glass pulmonary nodules （pGGNs） based on the state theory. MethodsA prospective clinical randomized controlled trial was used. Totally 141 cases of mediate-risk pGGNs were divided into treatment group （92 cases） and control group （49 cases） according to the random table method. The treatment group was given the basic Sanjie Formula （基础散结方） orally with modification according to the identification of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） state， 1 dose per day， 3 months as a course of treatment.Three months after the treatment patients were checked by CT. Patients who were clinically judged as cure， moderate to low risk， and turned to surgical resection do not carry out a second course of treatment，and the rest of the patients continued to complete the second courses. Patients in the control group did not receive any treatment and were only followed up periodically. Patients in both groups received a CT review 3 months and 6 months after enrolled. Comprehensive curative effect was evaluated according to the reduction rate of the area of pulmonary nodules shown in chest CT， to further explore the clinical effective difference for patients at different TCM state； the risk of malignancy index （Mayo score） was calculated by Mayo model at enrollment and 3 months and 6 months after enrolled. Adverse events were monitored continuously during the study. ResultsDuring the follow-up， 8 cases in the treatment group and 7 cases in the control group were lost. A total of 126 cases completed the whole process， including 84 cases in the treatment group and 42 cases in the control group. The total effective rates at 3 months and 6 months of the treatment group were 46.15% （30/65） and 45.71% （32/70） in the treatment group， while the total effective rates at 3 months and 6 months in the control group were 12.5% （4/32） and 10.00% （4/40）. Compared with the control group， the comprehensive curative effect of 3 months and 6 months of enrollment in treatment group was significantly better than that in corresponding control group （P＜0.01）. The pulmonary nodule area and Mayo score in the treatment group decreased after 3 and 6 months of enrollment （P＜0.01）. In contrast， there was no statistically significant difference in nodule area between pre- and post-enrollment time points in the control group （P＞0.05）， and probability of Mayo risk increased in the control group after 6 months of enrollment compared to pre-enrollment （P＜0.05）. Among the 84 patients in the treatment group， there were 15 cases of qi deficiency state， 7 cases of yin deficiency state， 5 cases of yang deficiency state， 20 cases of qi depression state， 32 cases of damp-heat state， and 5 cases of harmonious state； the difference in the distribution of the total clinical effective rate of the patients with different TCM states after treatment was statistically significant （P＜0.05）， and the total effective rate of two-by-two comparison of qi depression state was higher （13/20，65.00%） than that of the total effective rate of damp-heat state （8/32，25.00%， P＜0.00833）. There were no significant changes in blood routine， urine routine， liver function and kidney function in both groups， and no adverse events occurred. ConclusionTreating mediate-risk pGGNs based on the state theory can effectively reduce the area of pulmonary nodules and inhibit the growth of malignant risk of pulmonary nodules.

Prevalence of hearing loss among community-dwelling older people in China in 2020 / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of hearing loss among community-dwelling older people aged 60 and over, and also to compare the discrepancies between self-reported hearing loss and hearing loss diagnosed via audiometry.Methods:Subjects were from the Prevention and Intervention on Neurodegenerative Disease for the Elderly in China(PINDEC)project.By using the stratified multi-stage cluster random sampling method, a total of 10 347 residents aged 60 years and over were selected from 12 counties and districts in Liaoning, Henan and Guangdong Provinces and hearing function assessment was performed in 2020 through otoscopy, pure-tone audiometry and questionnaires.Hearing loss(HL)was defined by the World Health Organization criteria.Self-reported hearing loss was assessed by asking participants whether they had difficulty in hearing.The χ2 and Cochran-Armitage trend tests were used to analyze the differences in HL between different groups.The multivariate Logistic regression model was applied to assess factors influencing HL. Results:In 2020, the prevalence of HL among the elderly aged 60 and older in Liaoning, Henan and Guangdong Provinces was 69.8%(95% CI: 68.9%-70.7%). The prevalence of HL in men was higher than that in women, and increased gradually with age.The prevalence of mild HL was 47.2%, and the prevalence of moderate, severe and profound HL were 18.0%, 3.6% and 0.9%, respectively.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that factors positively correlated with HL were aging, male sex, living in rural areas and working in manual labor.Education level was negatively correlated with HL.Of the 7223 participants who were found to have HL, 5106(70.7%)self-reported having good hearing.Those of a younger age, with a higher educational achievement, having a spouse, or with mild HL were more likely to report having good hearing(all P<0.05). Conclusions:Hearing loss is quite prevalent among community-dwelling older people, and there is a large discrepancy in prevalence between self-reported HL and HL diagnosed via audiometry.Screening and comprehensive intervention for hearing loss for the elderly should be strengthened.

Analyzing the influencing factors of quality control assessment of pure tone audiometry among noise exposed personnel in Guangzhou City from 2021 to 2022 / 中国职业医学

{L-End}Objective To explore the status of quality control assessment of pure tone audiometry (PTA) and to analyze its influencing factors in occupational medical examination (OME) institutions in Guangzhou City. {L-End}Methods A total of 41 OME institutions in Guangzhou City were selected as the research subjects from 2021 to 2022 using random sampling method, and its status of on-site quality and PTA quality for individuals exposed to noise were assessed. {L-End}Results A total of 205 rectification items were identified among the 41 OME institutions from 2021 to 2022. Among them, 19, 28, 30, and 28 OME institutions did not meet the requirements of organizational structure, quality management system, quality control of OME, and health examination information reporting, respectively. A total of 1 095 OME reports for individuals exposed to noise were assessed, with 820 reports having correct results and conclusions, resulting in an accuracy rate of 74.9%. The results of the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that OME institutions without meeting the requirements for the quality management system had a higher risk of failing the PTA quality control assessment and having inaccurate hearing test results compared with those meeting the requirements (all P<0.05). OME institutions with a filing period less than one year had a higher risk of having inaccurate hearing test results than those with a filing period of one year or more (P<0.05). OME institutions not meeting the requirements for quality control of OME had a higher risk of having abnormal OME conclusions than those meeting the requirements (P<0.05). OME institutions not meeting the requirements for health examination information reporting had a higher risk of having abnormal conclusions in suspected occupational disease than those meeting the requirements (P<0.05). OME institutions not meeting the requirements for the quality management system had a higher risk of having abnormal conclusions of occupational contraindications than those meeting the requirements (P<0.05). {L-End}Conclusion The quality of PTA in OME institutions in Guangzhou City needs to be improved. And a well-established quality management system for OME is beneficial for improving the quality of PTA.

Comparison of Cyclosporine A and Cyclosporine A Combined with Corticosteroid in the Treatment of Acquired Pure Red Cell Aplasia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the efficacy, safety and relapse of cyclosporine A (CsA) and CsA combined with corticosteroid (CS) as the frontline therapy for patients with newly diagnosed acquired pure red cell aplasia (aPRCA).@*METHODS@#The clinical features, treatment responses, relapses and clinical outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed aPRCA in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) from January 2015 to May 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. All the enrolled patients had been treated with either CsA or CsA+CS for at least 6 months and had been followed up for at least 12 months, with complete clinical data and consent forms.@*RESULTS@#96 patients including 72 treated with CsA and 24 treated with CsA+CS were enrolled. With comparable baseline characteristics and follow-up periods, patients treated with CsA or with CsA+CS had similar overall response rates (ORRs) and complete response rates (CRRs) at the 3rd, 6th and 12th month and at the end of follow-up (P>0.05). Meanwhile, no significant difference was found between the two groups in the optimal ORR, optimal CRR, time to response or time to complete response. CsA+CS and CsA groups had similar adverse event (AE) rates, but CsA+CS group had higher CS-related infection rate (P <0.05). One patient in CsA+CS group died of multiple infections. As for the relapse, the two groups had compatible relapse rates at different time points, time to relapse, overall relapse rate and relapse-free survival (P>0.05). CsA exposure time, rather than different therapy regimens, was the only influence factor for either ORR or relapse rate (P <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#CsA monotherapy has similar efficacy, AE rate and relapse rate as compared with CsA+CS for patients with newly diagnosed aPRCA, and shows less CS-related AEs such as infection.

Ossicular chain status in ear pathology cases

Introduction: The tympanic cavity contains three ossicles in humans, the malleus, incus and stapes. These ossicles form a chain across the tympanic cavity from the tympanic membrane to fenestra vestibuli respectively. They develop from mesenchymal condensation of tubotympanic recess at the 6th week of intrauterine life. Later due to programmed cell death a part of tissue remains as ossicles. It attains adult size in the fetal life itself. However, studies have shown gain in size and weight even 2 years after birth. The ossicles help in sound conducting mechanism in hearing. These ossicles are vulnerable to damage in the various diseases of the middle ear cleft resulting into either partial or total loss. Incus is the most, followed by stapes and least by malleus. 20% mucosal diseases show ossicular damage, while squamous epithelial disease involve in 80% [1,2]. The integrity of the ossicular chain is most important for the transmission mechanism of external sounds to the inner ear fluids. Objectives: 1. To study the percentage of ossicular damage in the diseases of the middle ear cleft among the patients being operated for chronic suppurative otitis media in our tertiary care hospital. 2.To assess the extent and frequency of individual ossicular chain involvement in simple mucosal disease and squamous epithelial diseases. Methods: A prospective clinical study was conducted in our tertiary care hospital over a period of five and a half years in our tertiary care hospital among 100 cases of chronic suppurative otitis media after ethical committee clearance. Detailed clinical and radiological examinations of the patients were done and ossicular chain status was noted on table. Patients were also called up for regular follow up. Results: Ossicular chain erosion was mostly seen in squamosal disease, with incus and incudo-stapedial joint being the most common sites for ossicular erosion. Conclusion: it was concluded that long process of incus was the most commonly eroded structure, with the incus being the most commonly involved ossicle Few factors that were found to be associated with ossicular erosion were atticoantral disease, pediatric age group and bigger tympanic membrane perforations.

Study of Correlation of High-Resolution Ultrasonography and Ultrasonography Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Diagnosis of Pure Neuritic Leprosy in a Tertiary Care Hospital

This study assesses the features of high-resolution ultrasonographic and ultrasound-guided FNAC of peripheral nerves and correlates the findings in clinically suspected cases of pure neuritic leprosy (PNL). As per the study protocol, clinically screened pure neuritic leprosy cases from January 2017 to June 2018 were subjected to high resonance ultrasonography and ultrasonography-guided FNAC. The aspirated material was stained with modified ZN stain for AFB. Nerves showed hypoechogenicity, loss or distorted echogenic rim, and fibrillary echotextures in ultrasonography. Epithelioid cells, epithelioid cell granuloma was found in the histopathology sections of FNAC specimens with the presence of AFB in some cases. From these findings it may be concluded that HRUS and ultrasound-guided FNAC could be incorporated as rapid and reliable diagnostic tools for PNL. It may enlighten the future path as an early indicator of neural damage and be critical and useful to prevent the disabilities.

Aplasia pura de células rojas como forma de presentación de lupus eritematoso sistémico / Pure red cell aplasia as a presentig form of systemic lupus erythmatosus

La aplasia pura de células rojas (APCR) es un síndrome definido por anemia normocítica normocrómica, con reticulopenia severa y reducción importante o ausencia absoluta de precursores eritroides en la médula ósea. Ocasionalmente se desencadena en el curso de una colagenopatía o una enfermedad autoinmune. Presentamos el primer caso descripto en la literatura de un varón con APCR como forma de debut de lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES). Se trata de un hombre de 65 años que presentó anemia normocítica normocrómica, ANA 1/5120 y anti-Sm 2,61. Refería úlceras orales, poliartralgias, tumefacción de ambos tobillos y fotosensibilidad. Se realizó estudio de médula ósea con evidencia de hipoplasia de serie roja por paro madurativo a nivel de eritroblasto basófilo, ausencia casi completa de los elementos maduros y contenido muy elevado de proeritroblastos de gran tamaño. Con el diagnóstico de APCR como debut de LES, se lo trató con prednisona con buena respuesta. Podemos concluir que el despistaje de enfermedades sistémicas en pacientes con APCR es esencial para asegurar un correcto manejo y un mejor pronóstico.

Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a syndrome defined by normocytic normochromic anemia with severe reticulocytopenia and marked reduction or absence of erythroid precursors from the bone marrow. Occasionally it is triggered in the course of collagen or autoimmune diseases. We present the first case reported in the literature of a man with PRCA as the onset form of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A 65-year-old man, who presented normocytic normochromic anemia, ANA 1/5120 and anti-Sm 2,61. He reported oral ulcers, polyarthralgia, swelling of both ankles and photosensitivity. Bone marrow examination showed red cell line hypoplasia due to maturation arrest at the level of the basophilic erythroblast, almost absence of mature cells, and a very high content of large proerythroblasts. With the diagnosis of PRCA as the first manifestation of SLE, he was successfully treated with Prednisone. We can conclude that screening for systemic diseases in patients with PRCA is essential to ensure correct management and a better prognosis.

Effects of Obesity on the Auditory Function of Children and Adolescents

Abstract Introduction Childhood and adolescent obesity is associated with insulin resistance, abnormal glucose metabolism, hypertension, dyslipidemia, inflammation, liver disease, and compromised vascular function. Objective We aimed to evaluate the effects of obesity on the auditory function and speech audiometry of children and adolescents. Methods Subjects with a body mass index (BMI) higher than +2 standard deviation (SD) were classified as obese, and subjects with normal BMI SD were classified as the control group. Blood samples were taken for glucose, insulin, and lipid profiles following an 8-hour fasting period, and a hepatobiliary ultrasound was performed. The homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. The audiological evaluation included pure-tone audiometry (PTA), speech reception threshold (SRT), and speech discrimination score (SDS). Results The study included 100 children (50 girls) with obesity, with a mean age of 11.4 ± 2.9 years and 30 children with normal body weight, with a mean age of 11.9 ± 3.3 years. Of the children with obesity, 55% (n = 55) were found to have hyperlipidemia, 68% (n = 68) insulin resistance, and 21% (n = 21) hepatosteatosis. There were no statistically significant differences between children with obesity and the control group in terms of SDS or PTA, while SRT was found to be higher in children with obesity. There was no difference between obese children with or without hyperlipidemia, between obese children with or without insulin resistance, and between obese children with or without hepatosteatosis, according to hearing tests. Conclusion The result of the present study indicates that children with obesity are more prone to having auditory problems than the normal population. We recommend more frequent audiological evaluations, including speech audiometry, in children and adolescents with obesity problems

A study of pure tone audiometry in adults with hypothyroidism

Background: Thyroid hormones are important for overall growth and maturation. Hypothyroidism is associated with many symptom complexes, one of them being hearing loss. Aim and Objectives: Evaluating the hearing loss in hypothyroid patients of the age group of 18� years and comparing them with those in healthy people. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted in subjects aged between 18 and 45 years, in which 80 hypothyroid cases were selected after proper exclusion and informed consent and 80 age-and sex-matched healthy controls were studied. Hearing loss was assessed by pure tone audiometry. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 18 was used for statistical analysis. Results: SNHL was the common type of hearing loss seen. The prevalence of hearing loss was found to be 66.3% in cases. Hearing loss was mild, bilateral, and commonly affected the high frequency. Conclusions: Hypothyroid patients were more prone to sensorineural hearing loss. In patients with thyroid disorders, hearing evaluation helps in the detection of hearing loss earlier and thus treatment could be started.

Carcinoma primario puro de células escamosas de ovario

El carcinoma de células escamosas de ovario es una neoplasia maligna rara; su aparición es atribuible a la transformación maligna de un tumor ovárico existente. La variedad pura del carcinoma de células escamosas del ovario, en ausencia de lesiones ováricas preexistentes que incluyen quistes dermoides, tumores de Brenner o endometriosis, es extremadamente rara y se le considera una metaplasia del epitelio de superficie. Debido a su rareza, no se han establecido las características clínicas ni los tratamientos efectivos. La evaluación adecuada antes de la cirugía es fundamental para determinar el alcance de la cirugía y la terapia adyuvante. No existe acuerdo sobre la quimioterapia o radioterapia postoperatoria. El pronóstico de la enfermedad avanzada es generalmente pobre. Se presenta un caso de carcinoma de células escamosas primario puro de ovario.

Ovarian squamous cell carcinoma is a rare malignant neoplasm; its occurrence is attributable to malignant transformation of an existing ovarian tumor. The pure variety of ovarian squamous cell carcinoma, in the absence of pre-existing ovarian lesions including dermoid cysts, Brenner's tumors or endometriosis, is extremely rare and is considered a metaplasia of the surface epithelium. Because of its rarity, clinical features and effective treatments have not been established. Adequate evaluation prior to surgery is critical to determine the extent of surgery and adjuvant therapy. There is no agreement on postoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The prognosis of advanced disease is generally poor. A case of pure primary squamous cell carcinoma of the ovary is presented.

Comparative study of pure tone audiometry in diabetics and non-diabetics

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a non-communicable disorder which is metabolically disrupted associated with several complications, which include retinopathy, nephropathy, angiopathy, and neuropathy. Angiopathy and neuropathy caused by DM have been considered important factor for vestibulocochlear disorder found in these patients. Aims and Objectives: The study was done to compare sensory-neural hearing losses (SNHL) in Type 2 diabetics with healthy individuals. To find out effect of age of individual on hearing, how glycemic control of diabetes affects hearing acuity which frequencies of hearing affected by diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 30 Type 2 diabetics and 30 healthy individuals are takes as controls in the age group of 30–60 years. Selection of individuals is done based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. All patients are asked for detailed history and their detailed clinical examination is done. After this, all patients are investigated for HbA1C. All subjects underwent pure tone audiometry and findings were recorded and analyzed. Results: The diabetics with SNHL are 90% when compared to the control are 60% which is highly significant (P = 0.017). Diabetes patients had hearing losses which are insidious in nature which is gradually progressive and affects hearing in both the sides. The audiogram of diabetics was suggestive of mild to moderately severe SNHL which was more toward higher frequencies. SNHL is aggravated with increasing age. In non-diabetic, SNHL is mainly due to age, but in diabetic, SNHL is mainly due to poorer control of diabetes not only due to age. Conclusion: The Type 2 diabetic patients had hearing losses at higher threshold more significantly which is bilateral, mild to moderately severe SNHL as compared to healthy individual of similar age. The glycemic control-HbA1C has significant correlation with severity of hearing loss. SNHL is more significant in patients whom had poor glycemic control.

O perfil audiológico e a funcionalidade coclear na síndrome de Williams / Audiological profile and cochlear functionality in Williams syndrome

RESUMO Objetivo avaliar o perfil audiológico e a funcionalidade coclear em indivíduos com SW. Método estudo com 39 indivíduos, sendo 22 indivíduos com SW com idade entre 7 e 17 anos, sendo 15 do sexo masculino e 7 do sexo feminino e 17 indivíduos com desenvolvimento típico e normo-ouvintes. Todos os indivíduos foram avaliados por meio da audiometria tonal limiar, medidas de imitância acústica e análise das Emissões Otoacústicas Transientes (EOAT). Foi avaliado o perfil audiológico dos indivíduos com SW, e também foram comparadas as respostas das EOAT entre os indivíduos com SW sem perda auditiva e indivíduos controles. Resultados perda auditiva foi observada em 50% dos pacientes, sendo 78,95% neurossensorial e 21,05% mista. Esta perda foi predominantemente de grau leve a moderado, acometendo principalmente as frequências a partir de 3 kHz. Quanto às EOAT, observou-se maior incidência de ausência e de respostas de menor amplitude em indivíduos com SW. Conclusão indivíduos com SW apresentam disfunção das células ciliadas, principalmente da região basal da cóclea. Assim, a análise das EOAT é um recurso clínico importante a ser considerada na avaliação audiológica de rotina.

ABSTRACT Purpose to evaluate cochlear functionality in Williams syndrome (WS) individuals. Methods a study with 39 individuals, being 22 with WS aged between 7 and 17 years, 15 male and 7 female, and 17 individuals with typical development and normal hearing. All individuals were evaluated using pure tone audiometry, acoustic immittance measurements, and Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAE). The audiological profile in individuals with WS was analyzed, and TEOAE responses were compared between WS individuals without hearing loss and typical developmental individuals. Results The hearing loss was observed in 50% of patients, being 78.95% sensorineural and 21.05% mixed. This hearing loss was predominantly mild to moderate, affecting mainly frequencies above 3 kHz. As for TEOAE, there was a higher incidence of absence and lower amplitude responses in individuals with WS. Conclusion WS individuals have hair cell dysfunction, mainly in the basal region of the cochlea. Thus, TEOAE analysis is an important clinical resource to be considered in the routine audiological evaluation.

Auditory perceptual discomfort and low-hearing tolerance in the first episode psychosis

Awareness of perceptual and sensory changes that might occur in visual, auditory, proprioception, and other senses, in the early stages towards the First Episode Psychosis (FEP), and their subsequent sensorial evolution as the disturb progresses deeper into an acute episode, might be a key element for interrupting the process. In the present study, we investigated hearing discomfort/tolerance to 16 given sound streams. Sixteen people diagnosed with FEP, participated in the experiment. Sixteen frequency sweeps varying in modulation envelopes (sawtooth, sine), order (ascending, descending), duration (4s, 8s), and range (50­8000 Hz, 2­8 kHz) were presented randomly, but always in the same sequence, to FEP and healthy controls (HC). The level of discomfort was estimated by the participant by making a mark across a continuous line whose extremes read "nothing bad" (left) and "too bad" (right). Results showed that ascending sine pure frequency sweeps (p < 0.01) and descending sine pure frequencies sweeps (p < 0.01) caused the maximum discomfort in FEP. Other variables also showed differences between FEP and HC, and FEP were always more intolerant to such pure frequency sweeps than HC. We conclude that this might be useful for very early assessment of people at risk, people with FEP, and people with schizophrenia. (AU)

Research on hospital operation efficiency in China based on three-stage data envelopment analysis / 中华医院管理杂志

Objective:To analyze the operation efficiency of hospitals in 31 provinces in China from 2009 to 2019 based on the three-stage data envelopmeni analysis(DEA) model, for references to improve the operation efficiency of hospitals in China and promote the high-quality development of public hospitals.Methods:The data came from such sources as China health statistics yearbook and China general hospital ranking list of Fudan university.The number of hospitals, health technicians and beds in 31 provinces of China from 2009 to 2019 were used as input indicators, while that of hospital patients, discharged patients, hospitalized patients, reputational scoring of superior specialties and academic scoring of scientific research were used as output indicators.Government health expenditure, per capita GDP, population density and the proportion of tertiary hospitals were used as environmental variables.The three-stage DEA model was used to calculate the hospital operation efficiency and scale reward.Results:The environmental variables affected the operation efficiency of hospitals in China( P<0.05). After removing the impact, the average of comprehensive efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency of hospitals in 31 provinces from 2009 to 2019 were 0.703, 0.961 and 0.726, respectively.Among them, the scale benefit of hospitals in 4 provinces remained unchanged, while those in 26 provinces increased progressively and 1 province decreased progressively. Conclusions:Pure technical efficiency could be the main factor to improve the operation efficiency of hospitals in China, while the low scale efficiency will affect the improvement of the operation efficiency of hospitals.The scale efficiency of hospitals in most provinces had great room for improvement.In order to improve the overall hospital operation efficiency in China, the authors suggested to expand hospital scale based on the precondition of quality, promote balanced distribution of high-quality medical resources, and play the positive role of the social, economic and environment variables.

Vertigo Patients Characteristic in Neurotology Outpatient Clinic, Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia

@#Introduction: Vertigo is estimated to occur in 3% of adults every year. In contrast to dizziness, vertigo is associated with symptoms of peripheral or central balance disorders, while dizziness is associated with cardiovascular, neuropathic, neuromuscular, or psychosomatic diseases. Methods: Data for 123 patients at Hospital were taken retrospectively. The variables studied were demographic data, vestibular examination, audiometry, and vertigo diagnosis. Results: There were 123 vertigo patients consisting of 42 men and 81 women. The average age of the patients was 48.46 years. Most patients were diagnosed with other peripheral vertigo 37.40%, then unspecified disorder of vestibular function 15.45%, BPPV 14.63%, Meniere’s disease 8.94%, dizziness 8.94%, central vertigo 8.13%, and vestibular neuritis 6.50%. The types of hearing loss were Conductive Hearing loss (CHL) 6.10%, Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) 21.54%, and Mixed Hearing Loss (MHL) 11.38%. Location of hearing loss was unilateral 23.58% and bilateral 26.83%. Mean Pure Tone Average (PTA) of vertigo with hearing loss was 52.54 dB in right ear and 55.96 dB in left ear. Conclusion: Most patients were diagnosed with other peripheral vertigo is female. They had normal hearing. The most common type of hearing loss was SNHL with a mean PTA of 52.54 dB in right ear and 55.96 dB in left ear. Mean PTA in vertigo patients with normal hearing was 18.29 ± 4.24 dB in right ear and 17.55 ± 4.13 dB in left ear, while mean PTA in vertigo with hearing loss was 52.54 ± 29.93 dB in right ear and 55.96 ± 28.01 in left ear.

Advances in transcatheter aortic valve replacement for pure aortic regurgitation / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for aortic stenosis has been confirmed to be safe and efficient, and its status has gradually increased with the continuous updating of guidelines. But for severe pure aortic valve regurgitation, it has long been considered a relative contraindication to TAVR. However, many elderly, high-risk patients with pure aortic regurgitation have also been treated with TAVR and prognosis was improved through off-label use of transcatheter heart valves due to contraindications to surgery or intolerance. But because of the complexity and challenging anatomic features, high technical requirements, limited device success rate, high rate of complications, and lack of randomized controlled studies to confirm its safety and efficacy, TAVR treatment of pure aortic regurgitation has been evolving in a debate. In recent years, with the application of new-generation valves and an increasing number of studies, some new insights have been gained regarding TAVR for severe aortic regurgitation, and this article will review the progress of research on TAVR for severe pure aortic regurgitation.