Depressive symptoms in type II diabetics of a tertiary care hospital in southern India

Background: International diabetes federation has highlighted that 搕he diabetic epidemic is here and threatens to overwhelm health systems if unchecked拻. The global prevalence of diabetes among adults has risen from 4.7% in 1980 to 8.5% in 2014. India unfortunately tops the list of countries with the largest number of people living with diabetes. Diabetes and depression are independent risk factors for one another and both are associated with increased risk of cognitive decline. Prevalence of depression is doubled in Diabetes mellitus, and also appears to vary by type of Diabetes mellitus, race/ethnicity, and duration of diabetes and associated debilitating complications and co-morbidities. Various studies using different methodology have revealed varying prevalence of depression. Data on this association of Diabetes and depression is limited in Indian context.Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted on type 2 Diabetics attending outpatient department of Victoria and Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital. Data regarding duration and treatment of diabetes, HbA1c levels and associated comorbidities were collected along with basic particulars of the patient. Becks depression questionnaire were used for analyzing the depressive symptoms.Results: A total of 302 diabetic patients were included in the study, out of which Males were 156 and Females were 146. Severe depressive symptoms were found in 18.21% of diabetics, and moderate depressive symptoms were found in 39.74% of study population. It is also found that the significant predictors of these depressive symptoms are increasing age, longer duration of diabetes, treatment intensity.Conclusions: In conclusion depressive symptoms are more common in diabetic subjects compared to non-diabetic population. Especially this increases with duration of diabetes and uncontrolled sugars. Hence there is a need to screen all diabetes subjects for depression.

Krait bite poisoning in manipal region of Southern India.

Krait commonly inhabits the South Asian countries and is regarded as the most dangerous species of venomous snake in the Indian subcontinent. This prospective research included the consecutive cases of Krait bite cases admitted to Kasturba Hospital, Manipal during August 2003 and November 2005. All the victims of Krait bite were females aged between 17 and 35 years. Victims were from a rural background and most of them were bitten indoors and during the night time. Most of the bites involved the lower limbs. Signs of envenomation (neurological symptoms) were observed in 50% of the cases. In the only case of fatal outcome in our study, there was a delay in diagnosis of Krait bite owing to the absence of bite marks. The case emphasizes on the fact that the possibility of snake bite should be considered in an otherwise healthy person who presents with sudden onset of neuroparalytic features.

Epidemiology of cobra bite in Manipal, Southern India.

Envenomation by poisonous snakes is considered as an occupational hazard. Cobra bite is commonly encountered in the South Asian countries. The prospective research was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal to study the epidemiology, manifestations and treatment of cobra snakebite cases admitted to Kasturba Hospital, Manipal during August 2003 and November 2005. Twenty cases of cobra bite were reported during the study period. The victims of cobra bite predominantly were females. Mean age of victims was 41.9 years. Maximum cases occurred during the summer and pre-monsoon months, during daytime and involved the upper limbs. Ptosis was the chief neurotoxic feature followed by dysarthria. Cellulitis as a complication was observed in most of the cases. Polyvalent Anti Snake Venom (ASV) vials were used as specific treatment. No mortality was reported during the study period.