Drug utilization review of anticancer drugs in cancer outpatient department of the Government Medical College, Aurangabad.

Background: To study drug utilization of anticancer drugs in cancer outpatient department (OPD) of Government Medical College, Aurangabad. Methods: Five hundred and twelve prescription records were screened and analyzed as per the study parameters from cancer OPD of Government Medical College and Hospital, Aurangabad. Commonly used anticancer drugs were recorded; furthermore, different types of carcinomas were noted. Results: Age group of patients was in between 30 and 70, 267 were females and 245 were male patients. The most common type of carcinoma was carcinoma of the breast (17.9%). Carboplatin was the most commonly used anticancer drug (26.56%). The average number of anticancer drugs received per patient was three. Conclusion: WHO suggested drug utilization studies are needed in every health care setting. For a developing country like India, National Drug Policy and Drugs and Therapeutic Committee are a must.

Results of a single blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to study the effect of intravenous L-carnitine supplementation on health-related quality of life in Indian patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Carnitine insufficiency is responsible for various co-morbid conditions in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. L-carnitine supplementation is expected to improve the quality of life (QoL) of patients on MHD. AIMS: To study the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on QoL of Indian patients on MHD. SETTING AND DESIGN: This was a single (patient) blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted on patients on MHD attending hemodialysis unit of the study center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients on MHD suffering from hemodialysis-related symptoms were randomly assigned to receive intravenous L-carnitine 20 mg/kg or placebo after every dialysis session for 8 weeks. SF36 (Short Form with 36 questions) score for QoL, laboratory investigations and dialysis related symptoms were recorded at baseline and after 8 weeks. Improvement in QoL, laboratory parameters and dialysis related symptoms in the two groups after 8 weeks was compared. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Depending on normality of data, unpaired T test or Mann Whitney U test was used for comparison of change (8 weeks-baseline) in SF36 scores and laboratory parameters observed in the two groups. RESULTS: L-carnitine supplementation increased total SF36 score by 18.29 +/- 12.71 (95% CI: 10.41 to 26) while placebo resulted in reduction in total SF36 score by 6.4 +/- 16.39 (95% CI: -16.59 to 3.73). L-carnitine also resulted in significant increase in hemoglobin and serum albumin and decrease in serum creatinine as compared to placebo. More patients were relieved of dialysis related symptoms in L-carnitine group. CONCLUSION: Intravenous L-carnitine supplementation improves QoL in patients on MHD.

Lipid profile in smokers and tobacco chewers--a comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to evaluate lipid profile in cigarette smokers and tobacco chewers and to see whether tobacco chewing causes same degree of alteration in lipid profile as done by smoking. METHODS: Serum lipid profile was studied in 30 smokers (Group A), 30 tobacco chewers (Group B) and 30 controls i.e., non-smokers and non-tobacco chewers (Group C). RESULTS: High density lipoprotein-cholesterol was lower both in smoker (P < 0.01) as well as in tobacco chewers (P < 0.001) than the controls. Both smokers and tobacco chewers had higher values of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and, triglycerides as compared to non-smoker, non-tobacco chewer group whereas the differences in levels of lipids in smokers and tobacco chewers were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Though different mode of addictions, smoking and tobacco chewing have an equal and comparable adverse effects on lipid profile and therefore raising cardiovascular risk in same proportion.

Multigated radionuclide ventriculography during in-hospital phase of acute myocardial infarction.

Global and regional left ventricular performance was assessed by multigated radionuclide technique in thirty patients sustaining acute myocardial infarction on two occasions during in-hospital phase. Thirteen (76.5%) of the seventeen patients with anterior infarction had depressed initial left ventricular ejection fraction compared with seven (53.8%) of the thirteen patients with inferior infarction. From initial to discharge study, change in ejection fraction was statistically insignificant in either group of infarctions. All except three (10%) patients had regional wall motion abnormality on initial evaluation with little subsequent alteration. Our data demonstrates that ejection fraction changes variably during the course of illness, and location of infarction has profound effect upon degree of left ventricular dysfunction. Assessment by non-invasive radionuclide technique may have prognostic implications.