ABSTRACT
The use of ultrasound enhancing agents (UEA) during echocardiography helps to optimize visualization in technically difficult studies, with improved left ventricular opacification and endocardial border definition. The use of these agents may often unveil critical data that drastically alter clinical decision making. Despite the potential clinical benefits of UEA and known safety data, clinicians are still sometimes reluctant to take the time to use UEAs in unstable patients. Herein, we demonstrate a challenging case of a patient with late presentation myocardial infarction, complicated with cardiogenic shock and pseudoaneurysm formation that was not observed in non-contrast images, emblematically demonstrating the value of UEA in selected patients.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Mentally retarded and chronic mentally ill are being certified using IQ Assessment and Indian Disability Evaluation and Assessment Scale (IDEAS). They have been granted various benefits including monthly pension, from Ministry of Social Welfare, Government of India. The monthly pension appears to be the strongest reason for seeking certification and applying for government benefits. The caregivers appear to have only partial information and awareness about the remaining schemes. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to assess the severity of disability in the mentally retarded and mentally ill who are certified for disability benefits, as well as to assess the trends of utilization of disability benefits over a 3 year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, file review based study of certificates of patients certified for mental disability in the period of January 2006 to December 2008. Certificates of a total of 1794 mentally retarded and 285 mentally ill were reviewed. The data regarding utilization of disability benefits was assessed. RESULTS: Patients from rural areas did not avail any benefits other than the disability pension. Among Mentally Ill, Schizophrenia accounted for highest certifications. Males had higher disability compared to females, and Dementia showed highest disability as per IDEAS. CONCLUSION: Though initial hurdles due to disability measurement have been crossed, disability benefits are still elusive to the vast majority of the disabled. Proper awareness and education will help in reducing the stigma and in the effective utilization of benefits.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often a chronic and disabling illness with high comorbidity. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) are effective in treating OCD. However, 40% to 60% of patients with OCD do not respond adequately to SRIs. This study aims to identify the clinical predictors of nonresponse to SRIs in OCD by comparing SRI responders and nonresponders. METHOD: 122 subjects with a diagnosis of DSM-IV OCD of at least 1 year's duration and with treatment history of adequate trials with at least 2 SRIs were recruited from December 2002 to March 2004. Of these, 67 were SRI responders and 55 were SRI nonresponders; they were compared on various clinical parameters. Nonresponse was defined as a score of >/=3 on the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement sub-scale (CGI-I) after at least 2 adequate trials with SRIs. Response was defined as a score of 1 or 2 on the CGI-I. RESULTS: In regression analysis, baseline severity of OCD (p = .049), comorbid major depressive disorder (p = .005), presence of sexual obsessions (p = .002), and washing (p = .008) and miscellaneous compulsions (p = .013) were identified as predictors of nonresponse to SRIs. Early age at onset showed a trend toward prediction of nonresponse (p = .056). In the univariate analysis, mixed OCD (p = .001) and poor insight (p = .023) were associated with nonresponse. CONCLUSION: This study has identified clinical predictors of nonresponse to SRIs. These predictors may have to be taken into consideration and assessed carefully when SRIs are prescribed to treat OCD. Future studies should aim at identifying treatment modalities that are effective in SRI nonresponders.
