Depression Among Elderly Women in Rural Mandya, Karnataka: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Depression is characterized by persistent sadness and lack of interest or pleasure in enjoyable activities and disturbed sleep and appetite. Women suffer from depression the most, as the hurdles faced by Indian women include lack of awareness, stigma, disadvantaged position of women, multiple roles, increased levels of stress, and domestic violence.This study is to determine the prevalence of depression among elderly women and to determine the factors affecting it. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 783 elderly women (aged 60 years or more), residing in rural Mandya (South Karnataka) by interviewing them using a semi-structured proforma. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) was used to assess depression. Mean, standarddeviation and proportion were used for descriptive statistics. Chi square test was used to de-termine association of risk factors. Results: The prevalence of depression was found to be 31.6%. The major factors affecting depression were increasing age, illness and loneliness. Conclusions: The prevalence of depression in the elderly women was high (31.6%). By identifying risk fac-tors for depression among the elderly population and screening them on time, we can reduce the severity and burden of the disease to a greater extent.

Novel 4-hydroxy-N'-[(1E)-substituted-phenylmethylidene] benzohydrazide analogs (hydrazones) as potent antibacterial and anti-oxidant agents

In the present study, a series of 4-hydroxy-Nʹ-[(1E)-substituted-phenylmethylidene] benzohydrazide analogs was synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for their antibacterial and anti-oxidant activity. All the tested compounds show high antibacterial activity with compound AR7 , Nʹ-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene)-4-hydroxybenzohydrazide as the most active compound, whereas compounds AR10 (hydrogen peroxide scavenging) and AR8 (2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity method) were found to possess maximum anti-oxidant activity indicating that different mechanisms are involved in different anti-oxidant determination methods.

Comparison of Cardiopulmonary Parameters with and without Midazolam Premedication during Propofol Sedation in Regional Anaesthesia

Regional anaesthesia is a commonly used technique in orthopedic procedures. Sedation during regional anaesthesia reduces patients anxiety, increases patient comfort with improvement in operating conditions during surgery. The present study compared the cardiopulmonary parameters amongst subjects during regional anaesthesia with propofol sedation with or without midazolam premedication and effect of midazolam premedication on propofol requirement. Methods: A total of forty, ASA grade I- III patients aged 25 to 65 years who were scheduled for total hip or knee replacement surgery under combined spinal epidural were included in this study. Patients in group I (n= 20) were started on propofol infusion alone for sedation after giving regional anaesthesia and group II (n=20) patients were given Inj Midazolam 2 mg im 30 min before arrival in OT given regional anesthesia and then started on propofol infusion. This was followed by monitoring of blood pressure, pulse rate and oxygen saturation. All the data thus obtained was arranged in a tabulated form and analysed using SPSS software. Mean of all values was recorded. Results: In group I, the pulse rate preoperatively was 83.4±10.6 and in Group II it was 79.1±11.1. At 15 mins, the pulse rate in Group I and Group II was 64.4±10.0 and 85.9±12.9 respectively. In group I, the oxygen saturation preoperatively was 98.6±0.66 and in Group II it was 98.8±0.65. At 15 mins, the oxygen saturation in Group I and Group II was 99.7±0.45 and 99.6±0.47 respectively. At 60 mins, the blood pressure in Group I and Group II was 96.4±5.9 and 94.2±3.8 respectively. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the hemodynamic parameters amongst both the groups. Therefore, midazolam can be safely used with propofol. The dose of propofol needed for sedation is also reduced.

Bilateral Brenner tumor of ovary with associated unilateral mucinous cystadenoma: a case report

Brenner tumors are rare ovarian tumors, which are a subgroup of transitional cell tumors of ovary. Most of these tumors are benign presenting as incidental unilateral masses in postmenopausal age group. Only 5-7% cases are bilateral. These tumors are mostly small, solid and asymptomatic, seen commonly in association with mucinous cystadenomas of ovary. In such cases they may attain a massive size. Specific diagnosis of Brenner tumor is difficult using imaging studies and can be definitely diagnosed only on pathological examination. Surgical removal is usually curative for benign tumors. We present a rare case of bilateral Brenner tumor of ovary with associated unilateral mucinous cystadenoma in which bilateral Brenner tumor was a rare incidental finding on pathological examinatio

Health insurance coverage and its awareness among population in the rural field practice area of Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, B G Nagara, Karnataka

Background: In India, there is marked lack of awareness of health insurance in the rural and low socioeconomic sector due to reasons like the existing burden on the poor making them reluctant to think of the credit policies that are actually issued in their interest, illiteracy, lack of exposure and the growth of the private sectors has an upper hand over public sectors. Hence this study was done with the objective to determine the health insurance coverage and its awareness including perception among the rural population around Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, BG Nagara, Mandya.Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out among 295 households in the rural field practice area of Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, B G Nagara for a period of 3 months. Personal interview of the households was done using pretested semi structured questionnaire after obtaining the consent. Data was entered in MS excel and descriptive statistical measures like percentage, mean, and standard deviations were calculated. An inferential statistical measure like Chi square test was applied.Results: Among 295 households, Male constituted 49.5% and Hindus were 94.9%. 44.7% of the families were enrolled to health insurance schemes and 75.0% of them use to renew their health insurance scheme regularly. The factors which were significantly associated with health insurance enrollment and awareness were gender, education, occupation, hospitalization during last year and socioeconomic status. Only 173 (58.6%) of the respondents were aware of health insurance.Conclusions:More than half of the study population was covered by health insurance policies and majority of them were unaware of the available insurance schemes, risks and benefits of the same.

Co-relation of body mass index, dental caries and periodontal status with fluorosis in different high fluoridated areas of Haryana state, India.

Background and Aim: The aim of the present study is to compare the effect of corticotomy versus prostaglandin E1 injection in human subjects on rate of tooth movement, anchorage loss and their effect on crest bone height and root length. Settings and Design: Clinical interventional study. Split mouth design was used. Materials and Methods: Study was done on 32 regular orthodontic patients. A volume of 100 mcg of prostaglandin E1 was injected on the right side once in 2 weeks and on the left side corticotomy was performed, and canine retraction was started on both sides simultaneously. The rate of space closure and anchorage loss was assessed with casts. The root length and crestal bone height changes were assed with IOPAs. The comparison of rate of tooth movement, anchorage loss, crestal bone height and root length changes between the sides were statistically analyzed using paired t-test. Results: The average rate of space closure on right side was 0.36 mm/week with a standard deviation of 0.05 mm/week and on the left side average rate of space closure was 0.40 mm/week with a standard deviation of 0.04 mm/week. The difference between the rate of closure between the right side and left where found to be statistically significant (P = 0.003). The anchorage loss, the crestal bone height changes and root length changes were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The rate of tooth movement was significantly more with corticotomies when compared with given dose of prostaglandin injection.

Left atrial band: A rare congenital anomaly.

Left atrial fibromuscular band is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly. We present a patient with an incidental finding of left atrial band on an intra‑operative transesophageal echocardiogram and characterize its appearance on two‑dimensional and three‑dimensional echocardiograms.

Psychological reactions and coping strategies of Sri Lankan women carrying fetuses with lethal congenital malformations.

INTRODUCTION: Termination of pregnancy is a popular option for pregnancies complicated by lethal congenital malformations (LCMs). In Sri Lanka, where abortion laws are restrictive, this is not available. We studied the psychological responses and coping strategies of women who had to continue their pregnancies knowing the baby had a LCM. SETTING: A teaching hospital in Sri Lanka. STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative inquiry. METHOD: We conducted a semi-structured interview of 10 women whose fetuses were diagnosed to have a LCM. RESULTS: All women showed a grief reaction on hearing the news and were distressed about having to carry a futile pregnancy. Eight women were grateful they knew of the abnormality because it prepared them for the birth better, while the other two wished they had not known. They all found having to share facilities with 'normal' women to be painful. Seven women who received 'routine' antenatal care felt that the doctors were ill-equipped to deal with their situation. All felt that abortion should be legalised for LCMs. All engaged in religious rites believed to have miraculous powers, hoping that these will result in a normal baby. Two required specialised counselling. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of a LCM causes severe distress and psychological reactions, which the staff dealing with these women should be aware of. Ideally, they should be provided care with minimum contact with other women, taking into account the futility of the pregnancy. Engagement in religious rites, even though with unreal expectations, may possibly help them in the long term bereavement process.