Assessment of plasma blood sugar level in first degree relatives of known type 2 diabetes patients: a descriptive study from Maharashtra, India

Background: There is steady increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus from 0.73% to current 2.4% in rural and 4.0% to 11.6% in urban areas. Familial clustering of diabetes may support a genetic predisposition to diabetes. With increase in the prevalence of diabetes there is increase in number of first degree relative as well, thus an increased risk of developing diabetes, will also increase. To study the plasma glucose levels in First-degree relatives of family member of type 2 diabetic patients was the objective of the present study.Methods: It is a descriptive observational study with 1020 individuals serially coming to our outpatient Department for Pre-employment Medical Health Check Up Annual Health Check Up were selected. These individuals have been enrolled for the study and their family history of diabetes was noted, their sugar levels and their lipid levels were estimated and their body mass index was calculated. The data thus collected and analyzed with excel.Results: 184 (18%) individuals were FDRs, were as 836 (82%) individuals were Non-FDRs. There were 754 (74%) males [131(17%) FDR and 623(83%) Non-FDR], were as 213 (26%) females [53(20%) FDR and 213(80%) Non-FDR], 61(6%) individuals were having Diabetic Mother, 91(9%) individuals had Diabetic Father and 32(3%) were those in whom both the Parents were Diabetic. It was found that maternal history has strong association for getting abnormal BSL levels as compared to a diabetic father as the RR of 9.82 (95% 4.84 to 19.95) in individuals with mother being diabetic, and RR of 1.54(95% 0.68 to 3.87) of father being diabetic.Conclusions: Family history of diabetes, maternal history of diabetes and history of both the parents having diabetes are risk factors for diabetes in FDRs

Study of rationality and utilization pattern of antimicrobials in ear, nose, throat outpatient department of Tertiary Care Hospital, Nanded.

Background: Antimicrobials are most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide. Around 50% of the prescriptions of antimicrobial drugs are either not needed, inappropriate or in wrong doses. With the widespread use of antimicrobial agents (AMAs), the prevalence of resistance has increased. To evaluate the prescription pattern and utilization of AMA in ear, nose, throat (ENT) outpatient department (OPD) of Tertiary Care Hospital, Nanded. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in ENT OPD of Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College, Nanded over a period of 3 months. During this period, approximately 1100 patients visited ENT OPD and 600 prescriptions were evaluated. The excluded patients were of post-operative follow-up and of patients undergoing medical examination for fitness and handicap certificate. Data were collected by using specially designed case report form. Appropriateness of AMA was assessed by Kunin’s modified criteria. Results: Total 600 prescriptions were analyzed out of which (91%) consist of AMA. Most of them reported with upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) (30.4%), chronic suppurative otitis media (21.4%), acute suppurative otitis media (10.4%), tonsillitis (3.3%), sinusitis (2.7%), and others (15%). Amoxicillin (43.9%) was preferred AMA followed by ciprofloxacin (30.6%), cotrimoxazole (5.8%), azithromycin (3.2%), doxycycline (3.2%) cefixime + clavulanate (3.2%), and amoxicillin + clavulanate (1.8%). Single antibiotic was preferred in all prescriptions. In the concomitant medications, antihistaminics were prescribed in 97.22% of patients, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in 94.96% of patients, and antacids in 87.76% of patients. Fixed-dose combinations were used in 10% of prescriptions. Brand names of AMA were used in 10% of prescriptions. As per the Kunin’s modified criteria, 83% of patients received AMA therapy appropriately, while 17% patients inappropriately. Conclusions: Amoxicillin is the most common AMA prescribed and URTI is the most common diagnosis made. All AMAs should be prescribed only when needed and should be used in proper dose and for proper duration. Institution wise antibiotic policy should be used to contain resistance. Proper training and regular orientation programs of the juniors’ doctors for judicial use of AMAs will foster the habit of rational prescribing of AMA.

Periodontal disease and diabetes: A two way street dual highway.

Periodontitis is considered to be the sixth most common complication of diabetes. There is a two way relationship in which periodontal disease has adverse impact on glycemic control and in turn diabetes exaggerates periodontal infection, affecting the overall general health of an individual. In this article we have tried to review the recent research developments and mechanisms by which both diabetes and periodontal disease cause mutual destruction. Our aim of this article is to make aware, both general dental and medical practioner about interrelationship between periodontal disease and diabetes with special emphasis on importance of mutual consultation between the two fraternity, which in turn significantly contributes to general well being of an individual.

Clinical evaluation of an ionic tooth brush on oral hygiene status, gingival status, and microbial parameter.

It has long been recognised that the presence of dental plaque leads to gingivitis and periodontal disease, as well as dental caries. Today tooth brushing is the most widely accepted method of removing plaque. Hence this present clinical study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of an ionic toothbrush on oral hygiene status. For this study, 20 dental students in the age group of 18-20 years were included. All the subjects after undergoing dental prophylaxis were then provided with ionic toothbrushes, either active (equipped with lithium battery) or inactive (without lithium battery). Plaque index and gingival bleeding index were examined at 7th, 14th, and 21st day. Microbial assessment was done for detection of colony forming units (CFU) from the plaque samples which were collected on 0 day and 21st day, both before brushing and after brushing. Results shown a significant reduction in all the parameters and the reduction was more significant in active and inactive ionic toothbrush users. It was concluded that both active and inactive ionic toothbrushes reduced the plaque index and gingival bleeding index scores significantly and active ionic tooth brushes were more effective as compared to inactive ionic toothbrushes. There was no soft tissue trauma following the use of both type of toothbrushes, which showed that ionic toothbrushes were equally safe for regular long-term use.

Mycological and serological study of pulmonary aspergillosis in central India.

PURPOSE: To study the prevalence and predisposing factors of Aspergillus infection and correlate microscopic, culture and serological findings along with drug sensitivity. METHODS: Sputum samples from 123 patients of pulmonary disease with clinical suspicion of having fungal, especially Aspergillus infections, were examined microscopically and for culture. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of itraconazole was tested against the isolates. Serum samples from these patients were tested for precipitin against Aspergillus antigen using immunodiffusion (ID) technique. RESULTS: Aspergillus species were isolated in 20 (16.26%) cases and Aspergillus fumigatus was the predominant species isolated in 16 (80%) cases. Precipitins were detected in 29 (23.58%) cases. Serum samples collected from 50 healthy individuals to serve as controls showed no precipitin against Aspergillus antigen galactomannan. This fungus was found to be sensitive to itraconazole with MIC range 0.125-1microg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Serological tests have an edge over routine smear and culture methods for the diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis. Itraconazole is more effective than amphotericin B and fluconazole in the treatment of aspergillosis.

AIDS: knowledge and attitudes of university students in Nagpur.

The present cross section-I study was conducted on university students to assess the basic level of knowledge regarding AIDS. Mean score obtained by the Science students related to various aspects of AIDS was significantly higher as compared to Arts and Commerce students 94.4% Science students and 86.7%. Arts and Commerce students expressed their desire to learn more about AIDS. This study has identified considerable extent of knowledge and positive attitudes amongst Science students, but Arts and Commerce students had indequate and poor knowledge. The results of this study show that there is a need of effective health education campaign for this high risk group of individuals which will help them to develop the skills to act on their knowledge and communicate it to others.

Low birth weight and associated maternal factors in an urban area.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) and its association with maternal factors. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Urban community. SUBJECTS: Cohort of 210 pregnant women. RESULTS: The LBW prevalence was 30.3%. On multivariate analyses the maternal factors significantly associated with LBW were anemia (OR-4.81), low socioeconomic status (OR-3.96), short birth interval (OR-3.84), tobacco exposure (OR-3.14), height (OR-2.78), maternal age (OR-2.68), body mass index (OR-2.02), and primiparity (OR 1.58). CONCLUSIONS: Anemia, low socioeconomic status, short stature, short birth interval. Tobacco exposure, low maternal age, low body mass index, and primiparity are significantly risk factors for LBW.