Measurement of dynamic pupillometry parameters in adult Indian population.

PURPOSE: To determine normative dynamic pupillometry data in healthy Indian adults and to investigate the effect of age on various pupillary parameters. METHODS: Pupillometry measurements were obtained on healthy participants using an automatic dynamic pupillometry device, the NPi-200 (NeurOptics Inc., Irvine, CA, USA). Various measurements, including neurologic pupil index (NPi), resting pupil size (Size), minimum pupil diameter (MIN), percentage change in pupil size (CH), constriction velocity (CV), maximum constriction velocity (MCV), latency (LAT), and dilatation velocity (DV), were obtained in routine clinical settings and analyzed statistically for change with age. RESULTS: A total of 470 participants (470 eyes) were analyzed. Mean NPi was 4.31 ± 0.31, Size was 4.38 ± 0.80 mm, MIN was 2.87 ± 0.49 mm, CH was 34.67 ± 4.15%, CV was 2.74 ± 0.68 mm/s, MCV was 4.16 ± 0.98 mm/s, LAT was 0.23 ± 0.02 s, and DV was 1.13 ± 0.25 mm/s. NPi and LAT were positively correlated (P < 0.01), whereas Size, MIN, CH, CV, MCV, and DV were negatively correlated with age (P < 0.01). No statistically significant difference was observed between males and females. CONCLUSION: The study offers normative data on dynamic pupillometry parameters across various age groups within a healthy Indian population, which would serve as a reference for future studies in diverse clinical scenarios. It also elucidates that age significantly influences values in the NPi algorithm.

Interdevice Agreement between a Smartphone and a Commercial Pupillometer.

Background: The reliability of dynamic pupillometry parameters varies from one pupillometer to another, making it difficult to standardize the values for any particular device. Hence, further studies are required to evaluate the agreement of various pupillometer devices and explore their utility in routine clinical settings. Aim: This study sought to evaluate the agreement between smartphone and commercial pupillometer measurements in routine clinical settings. Methods: The study included pupillary measurements obtained by a single investigator from 100 healthy participants (200 eyes) with each pupillometer. Pupillary measurements taken by a smartphone pupillometry application (reflex pupillary light reflex analyzer by Brightlamp [Indianapolis, IN, USA]) were compared with a commercial pupillometer (neurological pupil index-200, NeurOptics Inc., Irvine, USA). Results: The comparison of descriptive statistics revealed a statistically significant difference between the smartphone and commercial pupillometers for various parameters, including maximum diameter, minimum diameter, constriction velocity (CV), maximum CV, and dilatation velocity (P < 0.05), except for latency (P = 0.36). The intraclass correlation coefficient revealed poor agreement between the two devices (<0.50). Conclusion: The measurements by smartphone pupillometry application were found to be unreliable, indicating that they may not be an ideal substitute for commercial pupillometers in their present form in the Indian population. Further studies with larger sample size as well as improvements in the processing and interpretation of the measurements by the software, are needed to determine its utility in routine clinical settings.

Masqueraders of pneumonia in children: A case series.

Pneumonia remains the top most killer of under-five Indian children. Pneumonia in children is usually caused by viral or bacterial infections. However, there are some unusual causes of pneumonia that merit consideration when pneumonia is recurrent or persistent.

Factors contributing to flares of ulcerative colitis in North India- a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis is a relapsing and remitting disease that may be associated with flares. The causes of flares in the Indian setting are not well recognized. METHODS: The present prospective case-control study was conducted at a single center in North India. Cases were defined as patients admitted for flare of ulcerative colitis, while controls were patients in remission enrolled from the outpatient department. The basis of the diagnosis of flare was a simple clinical colitis activity index (SCCAI) of ≥ 5 and endoscopic activity, while remission was based on SCCAI < 4 and a normal fecal calprotectin. A questionnaire evaluating recent infections, stress, drug intake (antibiotics, pain medication), adherence to therapy, and use of complementary and alternative therapy (CAM) was administered. RESULTS: We included 84 patients (51 with flare and 33 in remission) with a median age of 38 years, of whom 47 (55.9%) were males. The two groups were similar for baseline parameters, including age (38, 23-50 and 38, 25.5-48.5 years), male gender (52.9% and 60.6%), extent of disease, extraintestinal manifestations (21.6% and 12.1%), use of 5-aminosalicylates (76.5% and 90.9%). The thiopurine use was lower in those having a flare (15.7% and 36.4%). Amongst the predictors of flare, the recent infections (39.2% and 30.3%), recent travel (31.4 and 27.3%), eating outside food (47.1% and 39.4%), consumption of milk products (88.2% and 75.8%), use of pain medication (43.1% and 33.3%) and recent stress (62.7% and 60.6%) were similar between cases and controls. The rates of antibiotic use (29.4% and 6.1%), lack of adherence (50.9% and 15.2%), and intake of CAM (70.6% and 33.3%) were higher in those with flare. Patients attributed a lack of adherence to the cost of therapy, presumed cure (due to lack of symptoms), and fear of adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Lack of adherence to inflammatory bowel disease therapies and recent CAM and antibiotic intake was higher in patients with flares of UC. The study makes ground for educational intervention(s) promoting knowledge and adherence to IBD therapies.

Meta-analysis: hepatitis B vaccination in inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: The response rate of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is variable. Increasing dose or accelerated schedule is the suggested strategy to improve seroconversion. AIM: We performed a meta-analysis to determine the pooled response rate of HBV vaccination and to identify the predictors of seroconversion. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library databases. Studies reporting the response of HBV vaccination in IBD patients were included. Response was recorded as adequate immune response (AIR, >10 IU/L) and Effective immune response (EIR, >100 IU/L). Pooled AIR and EIR rates were calculated for different doses (10-20 µg or 40 µg) and schedules (standard: 0, 1 and 6 months or accelerated: 0, 1 and 2 months). Meta-analysis was performed to identify the predictors of response. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies including 2602 patients were eligible. Pooled AIR and EIR rates after HBV vaccination were 62% (95% CI, 55-68) and 42% (95% CI, 37-48), respectively. Pooled AIR and EIR rates for standard and double dose were similar. Pooled AIR and EIR rates were also comparable for different schedules of HBV vaccination. Gender, IBD subtype and disease activity did not affect the response rate. Use of immunosuppression [immunomodulators (RR: 0.73, 95% CI, 0.62-0.87) and anti-TNFs (RR: 0.72, 95% CI, 0.60-0.87)] was a predictor of poor immune response compared to no immunosuppressive therapy. CONCLUSION: Patients with IBD have a poor serological response after HBV vaccination. HBV screening and vaccination should preferably be done before starting the immunosuppressive drugs.

Hepatic tuberculosis: myriad of hues.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal tuberculosis is an important form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis but liver involvement is uncommon. Hepatic tuberculosis can manifest in variable manners including as a space occupying lesion, diffuse infiltration by granulomas (granulomatous hepatitis) and as liver abscess. Hepatic tuberculosis is usually associated with lesions elsewhere but the diagnosis is often not considered because of rarity. CASE REPORT: We report two cases of hepatic involvement by tuberculosis: one in the form of liver abscess and the other having multiple hypodense hepatic lesions along with peritoneal involvement. The presence of ascites, visceral scalloping and multiple hypodense lesions resulted in a diagnostic confusion with disseminated malignancy but GeneXpert Ultra (Cepheid, USA) helped in making the diagnosis. DISCUSSION: Hepatic tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hepatic space occupying lesions and abscesses. This is especially important in TB endemic regions and in patients where there is involvement of other organs especially the lungs. CONCLUSIONS: Newer microbiological modalities including GeneXpert Ultra could help in making a diagnosis of hepatic tuberculosis.

Study of pain response in neonates during venipuncture with a view to analyse utility of topical anaesthetic agent for alleviating pain.

BACKGROUND: Neonates being nonverbal are unable to express their pain leading to underestimation of their pain and hence insufficient pain relief. Neonatal pain is assessed by pain scales based on the behavioural and physiological changes that occur in response to painful stimuli. This cross sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care centre using Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) score with 4% lidocaine as local anaesthetic agent to produce surface anaesthesia of skin prior to intravenous cannulation. METHODS: Sample size was collected by simple randomisation method. Our study groups included 50 term and 50 preterm neonates with POG of 28-40 weeks requiring IV cannulation. Heart rate (HR), SpO2, facial expressions and behavioural state were noted before venipuncture and after venipuncture using PIPP scale. Same cohort of patients was assessed for pain response after applying 4% lidocaine cream during future venipuncture with help of PIPP score. RESULTS: The PIPP score in preterm group before and after anesthesia was 11.28 ± 3.72 and 9.58 ± 3.39. PIPP score in term group before and after anesthesia was 11.54 ± 2.84 and 9.04 ± 2.97. There was reduction in mean PIPP score after using topical anesthetic agent in both study groups and the results were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study found that topical anesthetic agents were effective in reducing pain during venipuncture. Based on the facts of the study, it is recommended that pain scoring should be a part of routine monitoring in neonatal intensive care units and appropriate measures should be used to reduce pain.

To compare the gingival melanin repigmentation after diode laser application and surgical removal.

AIM: The aim of the present study is to compare the gingival melanin repigmentation after diode laser application and surgical removal done by scraping with Kirkland knife. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a randomized split-mouth study where 10 patients presenting with unattractive, diffuse, dark brown to black gingival discoloration on the facial aspect of the maxillary gingiva were treated by diode laser application and surgical removal and followed up for 3-, 6-, and 9-month intervals. RESULTS: The results showed a statistically significant difference in repigmentation between the groups at the interval of 3 months (P = 0.040), but the difference was statistically not significant at 6 months (P = 0.118) and 9 months (P = 0.146). On surgically treated sites, all cases showed repigmentation of the gingiva, but in laser treated, there were two individuals which did not show repigmentation of the gingiva even at the end of 9-month observation time. CONCLUSION: The incidence of repigmentation was slightly less in laser-treated sites as compared to surgical depigmentation although the difference was statistically significant only up to 3 months.