A Moderation Model for Bolstering Resilience to Suicidal Psychopathology: Positive Sociopsychological Constructs and Coping Flexibilities Buffering the Impact of Daily Life Stress Among Medical Students.

ABSTRACT: Positive sociopsychological constructs and coping flexibility may be helpful for alleviating suicidal psychopathology, although relatively little research has examined this possibility among medical students. This survey aimed to investigate whether positive sociopsychological constructs and coping flexibility could buffer the negative impact of daily life stress and bolster the resilience to suicidal ideations and attempts among medical students. This cross-sectional model was based on a study of 787 Indian medical students (725 women and 62 men; mean age, 21.08 years; SD = 2.78; range, 19-37 years) who were asked to complete a battery of self-administered questionnaires. For the purpose of determining the independent and interaction impacts of potential variables of influence, hierarchical multiple linear regression models were used. The moderation analysis investigated that the association between daily life stress and suicidal ideation was buffered among the students having higher levels of positive mental health and coping flexibility, whereas this association was no longer significant at the highest level of positive mental health. Furthermore, the relationship between daily life stress and suicidal attempts continued to be buffered by above-average levels of coping flexibility, emotional stability (ES), and optimism. These findings represent that promoting positive mental health, coping flexibility, ES, and optimism may be a promising approach to mitigate suicidal thoughts and attempts in interventions for medical students at high risk. These modifiable moderating factors can be enhanced by empirically supported treatment and prevention efforts to bolster suicidal resilience.

What covariates drive medical students to the brink of suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt? A double-centric cross-sectional study in a resource-constrained rural setting in North India.

Background: Medical students face great stress and put their mental health at risk to become an individual contributing to society, and impulsively attempt suicide. Little is known in the Indian context, so additional knowledge on the magnitude and covariates is required. Aims: This study aims to evaluate the magnitude and covariates of suicidal ideation, plan, and attempts among medical students. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in two medical colleges located in rural Northern India and enrolled 940 medical students for a period of two months from February to March 2022. A convenience sampling method was executed to collect the data. The research protocol incorporates a self-administered questionnaire regarding sociodemographic and personal domains, as well as standardized tools to assess psychopathological domains such as depression, anxiety, stress, and stressors. The Suicidal Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) scale was used to measure the outcomes. Stepwise backward logistic regression (LR) analysis was used to determine the covariates associated with suicidal ideation, plan, and attempts. Results: A sample of 787 participants (87.1% response rate) were finally enrolled in the survey, with a mean age of 21.08 (±2.78) years. Around 293 (37.2%) of respondents had suicidal ideation, 86 (10.9%) claimed planning suicide, and 26 (3.3%) mentioned attempting suicide in their lifetime as well as 7.4% of participants assessed the risk of suicidal behavior in the future. The identified covariates poor sleep, family history of psychiatric illness, never seeking psychiatric aid, regret for choosing the field of medicine, bullying, depressive symptoms, high stress, emotion-focused coping, and avoidant coping, were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of lifetime suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt. Conclusion: A high frequency of suicidal thoughts and attempts, indicates the need of addressing these concerns promptly. The incorporation of mindfulness techniques, resilience, faculty mentorship programs, and proactive student counseling may help foster the mental health of the students.

The mediating role of sleep quality on the relationship between internet gaming disorder and perceived stress and suicidal behaviour among Indian medical students.

Background: In the recent digital era, individuals with internet gaming disorder (IGD) have reported a much higher prevalence of poor sleep quality, perceived stress and suicidal behaviour. However, the underlying mechanisms for these psychological problems remain unknown. Aims: The primary aims of this study were to explore the mediating role of sleep quality on the relationship between IGD and the health outcomes of perceived stress and suicidal behaviour and to assess the prevalence and risk factors for IGD among medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolling 795 medical students from two medical colleges in a rural area of North India was conducted from April to May 2022. The study participants were chosen using a stratified random sampling approach. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data, including sociodemographic and personal information and gaming characteristics. The study also included the Gaming Disorder and Hazardous Gaming Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Perceived Stress Scale-10 and the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised to measure IGD, sleep quality, perceived stress and suicidal behaviour, respectively. Multiple logistic regression for the risk factors and Pearson's correlation test for the relationship between variables were used. Hayes' PROCESS macro for SPSS was employed to carry out mediation analysis. Results: Among the 348 gamers with a mean age of 21.03 (SD 3.27) years, the prevalence of IGD was 15.23% (95% confidence interval: 11.6% to 19.4%). In the correlational analysis, small to large (r: 0.32-0.72) significant relationships between scores of IGD and other health outcomes were established. The indirect effect (B=0.300) via sleep quality accounted for 30.62% of the total effect (B=0.982) of IGD on perceived stress (partially mediated), while sleep quality (B=0.174) accounted for 27.93% of the total effect (B=0.623) of IGD on suicidal behaviour (partially mediated). The factors of being male, living in a single-parent family, using the internet for other than academic purposes (1-3 hours and more than 3 hours/day), playing games for more than 3 hours/day and playing games with violent content were associated with IGD symptoms. Conclusions: Using a dimensional measure, the results specified the relationship between IGD and perceived stress and suicidal behaviour by demonstrating that sleep quality meditated them. This modifiable mediating factor can be addressed by psychotherapy to mitigate the risk of perceived stress and suicidal behaviour among the future medical workforce.

Investigation of the influential factors for hepatic osteodystrophy in chronic liver disease: A case-control survey among the patients attending a tertiary care hospital in a rural region of Northern India.

Objectives: Hepatic osteodystrophy (HOD) is a well-recognized complication of chronic liver diseases (CLD), but the influential factors associated with this complication were studied scarcely in a rural Indian population. The study aims to evaluate the prevalence of HOD and variables that might influence it among cases diagnosed with CLD. Materials and Methods: It is a cross-sectional observational design survey that was performed in a hospital among the two-hundred cases and controls with a 1:1 ratio who were age (>18 years) and gender matched in a period between April and October 2021. They were subjected to etiological workup, hematological and biochemical investigations, and Vitamin D levels. Then, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure the bone mineral densitometry (BMD) for whole-body, lumbar spine (LS), and hip. HOD was diagnosed according to the WHO criteria. Then, the Chi-square test and conditional logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the influential factors of HOD in CLD patients. Results: The whole-body, LS-spine, and hip BMDs in CLD cases were found to be significantly lower as compared to controls. When the participants among both groups were stratified by age and gender, a significant difference in LS-spine and hip BMD was observed in elderly patients (>60 years), and in both the male and female patients. HOD was found in 70% of CLD patients. After multivariate analysis in CLD patients, we identified that being a male patient (odds ratio [OR] = 3.03), older age (OR = 3.54), duration of illness for more than 5 years (OR = 3.89), decompensated liver dysfunction with Child-Turcotte-Pugh-B and C grading (OR = 8.28), and low level of Vitamin D (OR = 18.45) were the risk factors for HOD. Conclusion: This study concludes that severity of illness and lower level of Vitamin D were the main influential factors for HOD. Supplementation of Vitamin D and calcium in the patients can abate the risk of fractures in our rural communities.

Epidemiological risk factors of suicidal behavior and effects of the components of coping strategies on suicidal behavior in medical students: An institution-based cross-sectional study in India.

Background: Suicidal behavior in medical students can be triggered by mental stresses and adoption of poor coping strategies, and might have a negative impact on their quality of life. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal behavior, and effects of the components of coping strategies on suicidal behavior among medical students. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 531 medical students for a period of two months from February to March 2021. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) scale was used to measure suicidal behavior. Exploratory factor analysis was performed on the Brief-COPE Inventory to classify the coping components. Chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression were used to determine the risk factors and their association with suicidal behavior. Results: A total of 104 respondents (19.6%) had reported an SBQ-R cutoff score of ≥7 and had suicidal behavior. The rate of lifetime suicidal ideation, plan and attempt was 20.3%, 10.3% and 2.3%, respectively, among medical students with one-year prevalence of suicidal ideation at 33%. The mean age of the participants was 21.26 years (standard deviation (SD) = 1.99). The identified risk factors significantly associated with higher suicidal behavior were depression (OR = 9.6), dissatisfaction with academic performances (OR = 4.9) and coping with mental disengagement (OR = 4.6), while coping with supportive strategies (OR = 0.57) was investigated as a preventive factor for the suicidal behavior. Conclusions: The prevalence of suicidal behavior is found to be highly alarming, revealing that depression and poor coping strategies are risk factors among medical students. The analysis recommends that quantification of the problems, treatment at an early stage and proactive student counselling to help them embrace the appropriate coping strategies should be the first steps in prevention of suicidal behavior.

Epidemiological Risk Factors of Suicidal Behavior and Effects of the Components of Coping Strategies on Suicidal Behavior in Medical Students: A North-Indian Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Mental stresses and adoption of poor coping strategies can be a cause of suicidal behavior in medical students. Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal behavior, and effects of the components of coping strategies on suicidal behavior among medical students Methodology An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students of a college located in North India for a period of 2 months from February to March 2021. A total of 531 study participants (calculated sample size) were selected, and then allocated proportionally to each academic year, both through stratified random sampling technique. Then, the participants were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic characteristics, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R), and coping inventory. A pretest was done to modify the coping inventory and then exploratory factor analysis was performed on it to classify the components of coping strategies. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to determine the risk factors and their association with suicidal behavior. Results A total of 104 (19.6%) respondents had reported SBQ-R cutoff score > 7 and had suicidal behavior. The rate of lifetime suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt was 20.3, 10.3, and 2.3%, respectively, among medical students, with 1-year prevalence of suicidal ideation at 33%. The mean age of the participants was 21.26 years (standard deviation = 1.99). The identified risk factors significantly associated with higher suicidal behavior were depression (odds ratio [OR] = 9.6), dissatisfaction with academic performances (OR = 4.9), and coping with mental disengagement (OR = 4.6), while coping with supportive strategies (OR = 0.57) was investigated as a preventive factor for the suicidal behavior. Conclusion The prevalence of suicidal behavior is found to be highly alarming, revealing that depression and poor coping strategies are risk factors among medical students. The analysis recommends that quantification of the problems, treatment at an early stage, and proactive student counseling to help them embrace the appropriate coping strategies, should be the first steps in prevention of suicidal behavior.

Real-World Experience in Toxicity with Bevacizumab in Indian Cancer Patients.

Background Bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody, known to block the binding of all known vascular endothelial growth factor-A isomers to their receptors, is used in solid cancers, especially in advanced settings where its role is proven to be stronger than localized stages. Furthermore, various studies have suggested that adding bevacizumab to first-line standard therapy in advanced solid cancers, such as colorectal cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, renal cancer, and breast cancer, significantly prolongs progression-free survival, overall survival, and response rates. However, this ability is limited and variable in cancer subtype. The toxicity profile of bevacizumab is outspread, ranging from mild gastrointestinal side effects, proteinuria to life-threatening hemorrhagic tendency, ischemic thromboembolism, and intestinal perforation. However, it has never been studied in Indian subset of patients till date. Materials and Methods We performed an institutional retrospective study of 41 patients with a pathologically proven ovarian, colorectal, lung, mesothelioma, melanoma, round cell tumors, and GBMs who received bevacizumab (2.5 mg/kg/week [5 mg/kg every 2 weeks or 7.5 mg/kg every 3 weeks]) with or without chemotherapy, between January 2016 and January 2019 at our center in North India. Results Forty-one patients, including 12 (29) advanced ovarian cancer, 12 (29) colon cancer, 10 (24) rectal cancer, 1 (2) appendicular cancer, 1 (2) mesothelioma, 1 (2) melanoma, 1 (2) desmoplastic round cell tumor, and 3 (7) GBM, were treated with bevacizumab. The incidence of arterial thrombus and hemorrhage was 2 and 10%, respectively, whereas venous thrombus and fistula were not seen and not related to age. No fatal adverse event was recorded. The global incidence of severe (grade 3/4) arterial hypertension (HTN) was 49%. It was safely managed in all cases, and no grade 4 (life-threatening complication) occurred. The incidence of severe HTN was significantly higher in elderly patients than in younger ones (72 vs. 40%), proteinuria was found to be more frequent in the younger age group as compared with older age group (7 vs. 3%). Also to note, the incidence of congestive heart failure and subacute intestinal obstruction was found in 5% of patients, wherein all four patients belonged to the older subgroup. Furthermore, Grade 3 hypersensitivity reaction was found in one patient in the younger subgroup which warranted immediate termination of bevacizumab.

Prevalence of psychological morbidities and their influential variables among nurses in a designated COVID-19 tertiary care hospital in India: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Nurses are the main part of the health workforce, performing their duties as frontline warriors against the novel coronavirus pandemic. Nurses involved in the care of infected (COVID-19) patients, may feel more discomfort physically and experience greater psychological morbidities. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The main aim of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and stress among nurses in a designated COVID-19 hospital and variables that influence these psychological problems. METHODOLOGY: Nurses working in the designated tertiary care hospital were invited to participate in an online cross-sectional survey (dated, September 5-15, 2020). A self-administered questionnaire regarding sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19-related experiences, perceived threat regarding COVID-19, and two scales (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Perceived Stress Scale-10) for the assessment of anxiety and stress was applied to nurses. Chi-square test and multiple regression analysis were used to investigate the predictors (risk and protective) of psychological morbidities in nurses. RESULTS: On analysis of 209 participants, it was revealed that 65 (31.1%) participants have anxiety symptoms and 35.40% have moderate to the high level of stress. Being proud of working in this profession was the only protective factor from such psychological morbidities. The identified risk factors for greater anxiety symptoms and moderate-to-high-level stress were, working experience of >10 years (odds ratio [OR] = 3.36), direct involvement in the care of suspected/diagnosed patients (OR = 3.4), feeling worried about being quarantined/isolated (OR = 1.69,) and high risk of being infected at the job (OR = 2.3 for anxiety and OR = 2.1 for moderate-to-high stress). CONCLUSIONS: Deteriorating the psychic health of nurses is one of the major outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic in India which warrants the necessity of providing psychological support to nurses and controlling the risk factors related to these problems. Greater focus should be on the frontline and experienced nurses.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A retrospective study from a regional care center in South India.

INTRODUCTION: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive lymphoma whose outcomes have significantly improved with rituximab in addition to anthracycline-based chemotherapy. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to study the epidemiology, treatment, and outcomes of patients with DLBCL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 526 patients diagnosed with DLBCL between 2006 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The median age was 50 years with a male preponderance. Two hundred and twenty-three (42.39%) patients presented with B symptoms. A total of 53 (10.07%) patients presented with bulky disease and 202 (31.40%) with extranodal disease. The most common extranodal sites involved were the stomach (20.79%) and the bone marrow (10.89%). Bone marrow involvement was seen in only 22 (4.18%) cases. The distribution of patients presenting in low, low-intermediate, high-intermediate, and high-risk International Prognostic Index (IPI) were 148 (28.13%), 191 (36.31%), 124 (23.57%), and 63 (11.97%), respectively. The median survival of the entire cohort was 22 months. Survival of patients that compared the two groups with respect to the IPI - one having clubbed patients in low and low/intermediate risk and the other clubbing high/intermediate and high risk showed significantly improved survival in the lower risk groups - 24 versus 18 months (P = 0). The survival of those who received chemoimmunotherapy i.e R - CHOP was significantly better than those who received chemotherapy (CHOP) alone - 33 versus 21 months (P = 2.22e-16). CONCLUSIONS: DLBCL is one of the most common lymphomas seen in our daily practice. Outcomes are significantly inferior compared to western countries. Biological and patient-related factors such as nongerminal center B subtype, higher extranodal involvement, and poor tolerability to treatment could contribute to inferior outcomes.

Primary oral tuberculosis on the tongue mimicking squamous cell carcinoma.

Tuberculosis is chronic granulomatous disease with rare oral manifestations. But if so are overlooked by most of the health care professionals. Clinically, most of the times, a tuberculous ulcer may mimic an ulcer of malignant origin and may be misdiagnosed. So, keeping in mind the etiology and the nature of the ulcer, it should be differentially diagnosed and a histopathological examination should only confirm the final diagnosis of the ulcer.

Multiple myeloma: Experience of an institute in limited resource setting.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell dyscrasias and an incurable clonal B-cell malignancy, with an annual incidence of 1% of all malignancies. The mainstay of treatment of myeloma is induction treatment followed by consolidation with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). However, still in a developing country like India where affordability is a major hurdle for health care, a number of MM patients are not able to undergo ASCT. AIM: To study the epidemiological features and outcome of MM patients treated in a limited resource setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study at our institute to identify patients diagnosed as MM from 2005 to 2016. We studied the epidemiological profile and the outcome of the treatment in terms of response rates and overall survival. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curve. RESULTS: Median age at diagnosis is 54 years (range: 39-85 years). IgG myeloma was the most common type seen in 72% of patients. The International Staging System (ISS) was ISS I (31%), ISS II (30%), and ISS III (39%). The median duration of treatment for thalidomide + dexamethasone (TD) and bortezomib + TD (VTD) was 9 and 7 months, respectively. Median survival for the TD versus VTD regimen (in a nontransplant setting) for the ISS I, ISS II, and ISS III groups was 49 and 55 months (P = 0.056), 42 and 48 months (P < 0.05), 21 and 27 months (P < 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: Proteasome inhibitors significantly improved the median survival for patients with MM (ISS II and ISS III) treated in a limited resource setting.

Colorectal cancer presenting as bone metastasis.

INTRODUCTION: Bone metastasis is a rare site of metastasis, seen in only 3.7-11% of clinical cases. Isolated bone involvement has been reported very rarely in literature. Moreover, the patients who have bone metastasis at presentation are even rare. OBJECTIVES: To discuss the demographic characteristics, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, pattern of bone involvement, and their correlation with survival in patients of colorectal cancer that have bone metastasis at the time of presentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, tumor registry was analyzed for the cases of colorectal cancer presenting with bone metastasis between 2008 and 2013. Survival curves were generated by Kaplan-Meier method and analyzed using the log-rank test. RESULTS: Ten such patients were identified (male:female = 7:3) of the total 410 patients. Median age was 41 years (22-50 years). All patients were Conclusions: In this study, the patients of colorectal cancer presenting with bone metastasis were of male sex and younger age. The factors that were associated with reduced survival were extraosseous and liver involvement.

Is Colorectal Cancer in Young (<40 Years) Different from those in the Elderly (>40 Years): Experience from a Regional Care Center.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is considered a disease of elderly. There has been a steady decrease in the incidence in those aged >50 years, with an alarming increase noted in adults aged <50 years. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 89 patients diagnosed with CRC aged <40 years between the years 2010 and 2014. Their clinical profile, treatment, and outcomes were studied. RESULTS: The median age was 33 years with a male preponderance (56.2%). Most common symptoms were lower gastrointestinal bleed (48.3%) followed by abdominal pain (46.1%). Most common sites were rectum (50.6%) followed by colon. Histology in all was adenocarcinoma. Most tumors were moderately differentiated (54%) and were stage 4 (36%). Most common sites of metastases were liver (46.9%) followed by peritoneum and ovaries. Majority underwent surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy, with/without radiotherapy. Chemotherapy was administered in 70 patients, majority receiving FOLFOX-4 regimen (88.6%). Median survival was 23 months. Survival in early stage[1],[2] was significantly higher than in advanced stages (3 and above), 34 and 19 months (P = 0.0287), in those aged >40 years compared to <40-35 versus 23 months (P = 0.0029), nonmetastatic compared to metastatic disease - 26 versus 14 months (P = 0.00196), and females compared to males - 26 and 18 months (P = 0.0242). There was no significant difference in survival with respect to tumor grade or site of metastases (hepatic versus extrahepatic). CONCLUSIONS: Colorectal carcinoma in young seems to be an emerging problem in India. Any young patient presenting with symptoms suggestive of a colonic malignancy should be evaluated promptly and treated aggressively.

Orocutaneous Fistula or Traumatic Infectious Skin Lesion: A Diagnostic Dilemma.

Orocutaneous fistula (OCF) (of dental origin) is an uncommon but well-described condition in the literature. These are often misdiagnosed by physicians and dentists. Careful selection of investigating modality is important in case of diagnostically challenging cases. A 19-year-old female came with a complaint of a lesion on the chin reported with h/o trauma with the impact on chin presented as diagnostic dilemma because of unusual case history and clinical examination. Commonly used radiographic investigations like IOPA and orthopantomograph did not resolve the dilemma whereas advanced imaging modality like CT scan, 3D volume imaging, and contrast enhanced CT played an important role in the diagnosis of OCF and selecting the treatment plan.

Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of audio and audiovisual distraction aids in the management of anxious pediatric dental patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare audio and audiovisual distraction aids in management of anxious pediatric dental patients of different age groups and to study children's response to sequential dental visits with the use of distraction aids. STUDY DESIGN: This study was conducted on two age groups, that is, 4-6 years and 6-8 years with 30 patients in each age group on their first dental visit. The children of both the age groups were divided into 3 subgroups, the control group, audio distraction group, audiovisual distraction group with 10 patients in each subgroup. Each child in all the subgroups had gone through three dental visits. Child anxiety level at each visit was assessed by using a combination of anxiety measuring parameters. The data collected was tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: Tukey honest significant difference post-hoc test at 0.05% level of significance revealed audiovisual group showed statistically highly significant difference from audio and control group, whereas audio group showed the statistically significant difference from the control group. CONCLUSION: Audiovisual distraction was found to be a more effective mode of distraction in the management of anxious children in both the age groups when compared to audio distraction. In both the age groups, a significant effect of the visit type was also observed.