Time to Diabetic Retinopathy and Its Risk Factors among Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Jimma University Medical Center, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes, caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the eye. Globally, diabetic retinopathy affects more than 103.12 million people. Diabetic retinopathy is among the leading causes of vision loss at the global level, including in Ethiopia. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the time to develop diabetic retinopathy and identify factors associated with diabetic retinopathy among diabetes patients. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted from September 1, 2021, to January 30, 2022. Data was collected using semi structured questionnaire. The Cox proportional hazard model were used to determine the median time to develop diabetic retinopathy and identify predictors of diabetic retinopathy. Data was analyzed using R software. RESULTS: A total of 373 diabetes patients were included in this study. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 41.3%. The median time was 41 months, ranging from 39 to 73 months. Elder age (HR=3.17, 95%CI: 1.53, 6.58), being male (HR=2.34, 95%CI: 1.35,6.15), previous family history of diabetes (HR=4.16, 95%CI: 2.19, 8.37), longer duration of diabetes (HR=2.86, 95%CI: 1.41, 5.31) received only insulin therapy (HR=3.91, 95%CI: 1.36, 7.94), and high systolic blood pressure (HR=2.32; 95%CI: 1.12, 4.39) were statistically significant factors related to development of diabetes retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of diabetic patinets in this study were developed retinopathy diabetes within a few months of being diagnosed. As a result, we advocate that the best way to preserve our vision from diabetic retinopathy is to maintain our diabetes under control, and the high-risk population receive early screening for diabetes

Positive alarming time of blood culture and distribution of pathogens / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To investigate the distribution of pathogens and positive alarming time of blood culture,and provide basis for laboratory diagnosis and clinical treatment. Methods Blood specimens from clinical departments in a hospital in May-November 2015 were collected,positive alarming time of blood culture was recorded,species of pathogens were identified. Results A total of 157 pathogenic strains were isolated from blood culture specimens, gram-positive cocci,gram-negative bacilli,and fungi accounted for 31 .85% ,57.32% ,and 10.83% respectively. The median positive alarming time were as follows:Enterobacteriaceae 0.50 day,non-fermenting bacteria 0.63 day, Enterococcusspp. 0.60 day,Streptococcusspp. 0.80 day,Staphylococcusspp. 1.01 days,and fungi 1.44 days, respectively. Conclusion Positive alarming time of blood culture specimens from early to late are as follows:Enter-obacteriaceae,Enterococcus,non-fermentative bacteria,Streptococcus spp.,Staphylococcus spp.,and fungus. Positive alarming time of pathogens causing bloodstream infection are all within 4 days,and most of them are within 1 day.

The Median Time to Develop Recurrent Tuberculosis at a Tertiary Hospital in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.

This study has the intention to determine the median time to develop recurrent tuberculosis [TB] in TB patients attending the Chest Clinic at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II [HRPZ II], Kelantan, Malaysia. Records of 114 recurrent TB patients from 1/1/2003-31/12/2009 were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to examine the median time for recurrence of TB. The overall median time to develop TB recurrence in registered TB recurrent patients was six months [95%CI: 4.58, 7.42] after the previous episode. It was found that recipients of Streptomycin (S), Isoniazid (H) and Rifampicin (R) twice weekly (S2H2R2) drug regimen [p=0.026] or daily HR drug regimen [p=0.049] during the continuation phase took a longer duration to develop recurrent TB than non-recipients of these medicines by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Moreover, there also existed a significant time difference [P = 0.006] between the defaulters and non-defaulters of treatment to develop recurrent TB. Patients should take the complete course of therapy, to reduce recurrent TB infection. The drug regimens must contain the two most potent first line drugs Isoniazid [H] and Rifampicin [R] during the continuation phase.

High Spontaneous Resolution Rates of Severe Primary Vesicoureteral Reflux and Minimal Development of New Renal Scars

PURPOSE: The previous reports regarding VUR resolution were not precise due to early frequent surgical intervention. We evaluated the spontaneous resolution (SR) rate and the incidence of new renal scars in primary VUR, focusing on severe reflux. METHODS: Medical records of 334 patients with primary VUR who were on medical prophylaxis without surgery for 1 to 9 years, were retrospectively reviewed. Medical prophylaxis was initiated with low-dose antibiotic prophylaxis or probiotics. Radioisotope cystourethrography was performed every 1 to 3 years until SR of reflux. New renal scar was evaluated with follow-up 99mTc DMSA renal scan. RESULTS: The SR rates decreased as VUR grades were getting higher (P=0.00). The overall and annual SR were 58.4% and 14.9%/yr in grade IV reflux and 37.5% and 9.3%/yr in grade V reflux. The median times of SR were 38 months in grade IV reflux and 66 months in grade V reflux. The probable SR rates in grade IV and V reflux were 7.8% and 8.9% in the 1st year, 46.0% and 30.8% in the 3rd year and 74.4% and 64.4% in the 5th year. The incidences of new renal scars between low to moderate reflux and severe reflux showed no significant difference (P=0.32). CONCLUSION: The SR rates of severe primary VUR were higher than previously reported and most new renal scars were focal and mild.