Overlap of dengue fever and HELLP syndrome in pregnancy: a complex clinical encounter

Dengue fever is an arboviral infection caused by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, common in tropical areas, especially in India. It is characterized by fever, fatigue, malaise, joint pain, retrobulbar pain, abdominal pain, and thrombocytopenia. It is often complicated by bleeding manifestations like petechiae, bleeding gums, and blood in vomitus. Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome is usually a complication of preeclampsia in pregnancy (elevated blood pressure after 20 weeks of gestation) and is characterized by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count. This is the case of a primigravida that presented at 32 weeks + 2 days of gestation with dengue fever in the background of HELLP syndrome. Significant overlap in the features of dengue fever and HELLP syndrome can lead to a delay in the diagnosis of HELLP syndrome and its management. This case highlights the importance of early recognition of HELLP syndrome in a dengue positive pregnant patient.

Social media and mental health of undergraduate medical students of Mysuru: cross sectional study

Background: Social media is a form of electronic communication, through which people can share ideas and information. With the advent of internet and social networking sites, humans have become social more virtually than in person. This has led to people living more isolated lives affecting one’s health. Hence the objective is to assess the effects of social media on students and factors associated. Methods: It was a Cross sectional study among 367 undergraduates from a medical college in Mysuru, over a duration of 2 months. A self-administered questionnaire with socio- demographic variables and a standard GHQ-12 (general health questionnaire) was used for the scoring of their distress levels. Descriptive statistics were taken and Chi-square test was done for statistical significance. Results: Out of 367 students, the mean age of students were 21.5 years. The prevalence suggestive of distress was found to be 72.4% (265), and severe psychological distress was found to be 3.27%. Among usage of apps, people using 1 app had 48.5% distress, 2 apps had 75.6% distress, 3 apps had 63.3% distress and 4 apps 74.2% distress. There was no significant association between factors and severity of distress. Conclusions: From the above study, we have shown that social media with all its influence has a negative impact on the students’ behavior. With this the youth need to be educated on its use and its limitations counselled regarding its ill effects and necessary tolls for seeking help be made available at their disposal.

Correlating the altered bowel habits among young medical doctors when exposed to rural posting in the course of their training in India

Background: Altered bowel habits, is a commonly encountered presentation, especially among training professionals. During training, young doctors move to rural areas, experience the stress factors in food and environment causing the altered bowel habits. Hence correlating altered bowel habits among young medical doctors when exposed to relative culture barriers was the main aim of the study. Methods: It was a cross sectional study among interns and postgraduates from all over the country for a duration of 2 months from January 2023 to March 2023 for 150 participants. A self-administered questionnaire with socio- demographic variables and a standard PAC-SYM was used for the scoring of altered bowel habits. Data entered into Excel and analysed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics were taken and Kruskal Wallis test was done for statistical significance. Results: 60% of the students belong to 20-24 age group. 55% of participants were female. 48.7% of mothers were homemakers and 46.6% were professionals. 90% of students were exposed to rural areas and 32% of them stayed there for more than 2 months. Gender, duration of stay, frequency of food consumption and bathroom comfort were statistically significant with the symptoms of altered bowel habits. Conclusions: From the above study, we have tried to prove poor water supply, poor hygiene, and multiple people sharing the toilet are significant stressor factors for the medical trainee during their stay in rural health centres across the country.