ABSTRACT
Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is the main reason for mortality and morbidity. Numerous studies have shown a link between chronic alcohol usage and AP. However, there are few studies on the percentage of patients developing AP as a result of dependent patterns of drinking and associated risk factors. Aim: This study aimed to study the prevalence and impact of risk factors of alcohol dependence syndrome with AP patients hospitalized in tertiary care facilities. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study. Sociodemographic and clinical data were taken from patients with AP after consent. Eighty-five patients with AP who met the inclusion criteria were involved after each participant had clinical evaluation using the modified Marshall score, the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, and the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SAD-Q). The outcomes were tabulated and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results: 38.8% of patients with AP were found to have features of alcohol dependence syndrome. Higher values of mean corpuscular volume (MCV), serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and uric acid were associated with a greater propensity to have AP. The severity of alcohol dependence syndrome and AP was not associated. Conclusion: AP is potentially a fatal disease. In this study, 38.8% of AP patients had alcohol dependence syndrome. There was no statistical association between the severity of AP and alcohol dependence syndrome, though high values of MCV, SGOT, SGPT, and GGT were at greater risk of developing AP. As a result, alcohol dependence syndrome should be examined in all individuals with AP.
ABSTRACT
Background: A few studies have reported the association of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with emotional changes including anxiety and depression. There is a paucity of Indian studies in this area. Aim: To assess depression and its correlates in diagnosed cases of RA. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional and hospital-based study. A total of 70 patients with RA fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Their demographic characteristics were recorded. They were individually assessed with the Clinical Disease Activity Index, Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Barriers to Access Care Evaluation, and Beck Depression Inventory. Statistical analysis was undertaken with SPSS. Results: In the patients with RA the prevalence of depression was 44.2%. Analysis revealed that there was a significant positive correlation between depression with the severity of RA. Barriers to help-seeking were mainly attitudinal rather than stigma-related or instrumental barriers. Conclusion: In the RA patients, the prevalence of depression was 44.2%. Clinical disease activity and the pain index were higher in patients with depression.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Psychoactive substance use occurs commonly in patients with psychotic disorders. AIM: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of substance use in first-episode psychotic patients and to evaluate the association between substance use and various sociodemographic variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study, and symptomatic first-episode, treatment-naive psychosis patients were included (n = 79). A semi-structured pro forma was used for the evaluation of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. The patients were then interviewed for use of any psychoactive substance in their lifetime. In each case, the history was corroborated by a family member or a caregiver. Wherever required, a second interview was conducted. RESULTS: The mean age at the onset of psychotic disorder for substance users was 36.09 years and for nonusers was 35.50 years. Almost three-fourth of the patients reported the use of at least one substance in their lifetime. Alcohol use was reported by 40.50% of patients, tobacco by 55%, and cannabis by 8.86%. It was significant in patients who were diagnosed with schizophrenia, acute and transient psychotic disorder, persistent delusional disorder, and unspecified nonorganic psychotic disorder. CONCLUSION: The results show a high prevalence of psychoactive substance abuse compared to the prevalence in the general population. This has tremendous significance in the management of such illness, which is known to impact the prognosis adversely.
