Study of C Reactive Protein in Type 2 Diabetes and its Relation with Various Complications from Eastern India.

Diabetes is associated with a pro-inflammatory state and endothelial dysfunction. Various markers of inflammation like C Reactive Protein (CRP) are elevated significantly in diabetic population. The levels of these markers also correlate with the severity of diabetes and presence of various complications. We therefore undertook this study to find the CRP levels in type 2 diabetes and its relation with other parameters. We selected only newly diagnosed drug naïve type 2 diabetes patients. Besides clinical examination, various blood tests including lipid profile and HbA1C were done. CRP levels were done by immunoturbidimetric method and the levels were compared among different subsets of patients. We had total of 80 patients (M: F: 47:33). Dyslipidemia was the commonest complication (n=66) followed by nephropathy. Patients with cardiac and retinal complications had significantly higher levels of CRP. The presence of any 1 diabetic complication was associated with significantly higher CRP levels (1.8± 1.32 mg/dl vs. 0.49± 0.22; p <0.05 by t test). CRP levels showed significant positive correlation with serum triglyceride and HbA1C. CRP was associated with various diabetic complications. It was also related with the severity of glycemic status, as evidenced by HbA1C. Although our study was cross sectional, still, it showed correlation of CRP with many complications of diabetes and thus this can be an effective marker of clinical status in diabetes.

Bacterial contamination of the hands of doctors: A study in the medicine and dermatology wards.

Background: Doctors' hands are a common source of bacterial contamination. Often, these organisms are found to be virulent species with multidrug-resistance patterns. These are the sources of nosocomial infections in many patients. Aims: The present study was undertaken to find out the prevalence of bacterial contamination in the hands of doctors in the Medicine and Dermatology wards of a tertiary care hospital. Methods: The hands of 44 doctors were swabbed and cultured at entry to ward and at exit. Then, tap water and alcohol swab wash techniques were used and further swabs were done at each step. Thus, each doctor was sampled four-times for the study. The antibiotic-sensitivity pattern of the organisms was determined by the disc-diffusion method. Results: There was a significant contamination of the doctors' hands at entry (59.1%) and at exit (90.9%). Overall, Staphylococcus was the predominant organism (59% at entry and 85% at exit); coagulase-negative ones were more prevalent at entry (32%) and coagulase-positive ones were more prevalent at exit (54%). There was no difference in the hand contamination rates of junior and senior doctors. Also, the contamination rates were similar in the Medicine and Dermatology wards. Among the Gram negative organisms, Escherichia coli (4.5%), Pseudomonas (4.5%), Enterococci (13.6%) and Klebsiella (9%) were the main ones isolated. Gram negative organisms were significantly more prevalent at exit (P = 0.009) compared with their numbers at entry. Hand washing techniques reduced the contamination rates significantly, 76% with tap water wash and further 16.5% with alcohol swab. The removal rate for both groups of organisms was similar. Also, coagulase-positive and -negative Staphylococci showed equal rates of removal with hand washing (P = 0.9793). The organisms were found to be resistant to most of the commonly used antibiotics; the beta-lactam group was especially largely resistant both for Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Both cheaper ones like cloxacillin (50-100%) and very costly ones like cefepime (100%) were equally vulnerable to resistance. Even newer antibiotics like linezolid and vancomycin showed a significant resistance to Staphylococcus. In Gram negative organisms, drugs like ceftazidime and gentamicin showed 100% resistance. Conclusion: This study shows the high level of contamination of doctors' hands. It emphasizes the need for proper hygienic measures in day to day practice in hospitals to reduce the level of nosocomial infections. Also, it shows that most of the commonly used antibiotics will be ineffective in nosocomial infections.

A study on clinical and biochemical profile of low body weight type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Low body weight type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a distinct entity in T2DM having different clinical presentation, morbidity and mortality patterns as well as biochemical profile when compared with classical T2 DM. This study was aimed at comparing three subtypes of T2 DM-overweight (BMI>25), normal weight (BMI>18.5 but <25) and low body weight or lean type2 DM (BM1<18.5). Seventy-five cases of T2 DM (25-lean, 25-normal weight and 25-overweight) were selected. The present study revealed that normal C-peptide level with basal hyperglycaemia is an important characteristic of lean T2 DM. Lower prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia and higher level of triglycerides were found in low body weight T2 DM.Lower prevalence of macrovascular and higher prevalence of microvascular complications are also noted.

Rheumatological manifestations of leprosy.

Rheumatological manifestations are common in leprosy. A study was conducted among 30 patients to observe the prevalence and spectrum of rheumatological manifestations in leprosy. Seventeen patients were referred from leprosy clinic from 287 consecutive leprosy cases and 13 patients presented de novo at the rheumatology clinic and later diagnosed to have leprosy. In the first group, the most common manifestation was small and large joints polyarthritis resembling rheumatoid arthritis found in 64.7% cases and in the second group tenosynovitis (38.5%) was the commonest. Rheumatoid factor was positive in 60% cases.

A study on nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus: histology and its correlation with clinical and biochemical parameters.

To document clinical, serum and urinary parameters in patients with features of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus and to correlate light microscopical findings of the renal biopsy specimen with the clinical, serum and urinary parameters, a study was conducted among 30 patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus with features of nephropathy attended Medical College, Kolkata with special emphasis given on neurological and fundoscopic examination. The patients were investigated with fasting and postprandial venous plasma glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), serum urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, 24-hour urinary protein/micro-albumin and lipid profile. Percutaneous renal biopsy was performed after taking informed consent from the patients and sent for histopathological examination. Obtained data were tabulated and analysed. Among 30 patients (male-16; female-14; proteinuric-23, micro-albuminuric-6) diabetic nephropathy was detected in 28 patients (diffuse-15, nodular-9, 4 had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis) and 2 had normal renal biopsy. Retinopathy was detected in 16 patients; 12 had autonomic neuropathy and 3 had peripheral neuropathy.

Recurrent limb weakness as initial presentation of Wilson's disease.

A 28-year-old normotensive euthyroid man presented with recurrent lower motor neuron type of weakness without sensory or autonomic involvement, with preserved reflexes. Systemic examination was significant for mild hepatosplenomegaly. Investigations revealed persistent hypokalemic, hyperchloremic, normal-anion-gap metabolic acidosis with deranged liver functions. Urine pH was 6.0 even after oral ammonium-chloride loading test. Type I renal tubular acidosis was diagnosed. A search for the etiology revealed bilateral Kayser-Fleischer ring, with low serum ceruloplasmin levels and high urinary copper, confirming it to be Wilson's disease.