ABSTRACT
Introduction: Various studies suggest a significant impact of gonadal hormones on many neuronal functions, including auditory processing. Although a few researchers have independently investigated the brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) patterns during various phases of menstrual cycle and also during menopause, there is an acute paucity of comparative data between their BAEP patterns. This study was conducted to compare the BAEP patterns between normally menstruating females and menopausal females from North India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 90 females aged 17-21 years who were in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle and 100 menopausal females aged 46-70 years. BAEP recording was done using standardized protocol. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. It contained mean wave latencies I, II, III, IV, V, and Interpeak Latencies (IPL) I-V, I-III, and III-V. Results: The mean values of latencies of waves I, III, and V and also of IPL I-III, I-V, and III-V were significantly higher (P > 0.05) in menopausal females. However, the difference between mean values of wave latencies II and IV of both groups was statistically non-significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The increased latencies in menopausal females indicate subtle degenerative changes that start appearing within the central auditory pathway after menopause and are probably due to a decline in ovarian hormones, especially estrogen.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus represents a syndrome complex in which multiple organ systems, including the central nervous system, are affected. AIM: The study was conducted to determine the changes in the brainstem auditory evoked potentials in type 2 diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted on 126 diabetic males, aged 35-50 years, and 106 age-matched, healthy male volunteers. Brainstem auditory evoked potentials were recorded and the results were analyzed statistically using student's unpaired t-test. The data consisted of wave latencies I, II, III, IV, V and interpeak latencies I-III, III-V and I-V, separately for both ears. RESULTS: The latency of wave IV was significantly delayed only in the right ear, while the latency of waves III, V and interpeak latencies III-V, I-V showed a significant delay bilaterally in diabetic males. However, no significant difference was found between diabetic and control subjects as regards to the latency of wave IV unilaterally in the left ear and the latencies of waves I, II and interpeak latency I-III bilaterally. CONCLUSION: Diabetes patients have an early involvement of central auditory pathway, which can be detected with fair accuracy with auditory evoked potential studies.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Air pollution due to road traffic is a serious health hazard and thus the persons who are continuously exposed, may be at an increased risk. Although several studies have confirmed the ill effects of air pollutants on the lung function of traffic policemen, only a few have investigated the relationship between respiratory health and duration of exposure in this category of occupationally exposed persons. AIM: The study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the extent of impairment in lung function in traffic policemen in respect to an unexposed control group having the same age group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which the spirometric parameters of a group of 100 nonsmoking traffic policemen, aged 20-55 years, working in and around Patiala city, were compared with those obtained in an age-matched control group, consisting of 100 healthy males, serving in the Punjab Police, who have never done traffic duty and are thus not exposed to traffic pollution. Lung function was done with MEDSPIROR. The data on the overall health status of the subjects was collected using the standard Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire. The statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS PC software version 13. RESULTS: Traffic policemen recorded a significant decline in various parameters, such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) when compared with controls, and is probably due to exposure to vehicular pollution. It was also observed that in traffic policemen with >8 years of exposure, the values of FVC (2.7 L), FEV(1) (1.8 L), and PEFR (7.5 L/s) were significantly lower than those obtained in traffic policemen with <8 years of exposure, in whom the values were 2.9 L, 2.3 L, and 7.7 L/s for FVC, FEV(1), and PEFR, respectively. CONCLUSION: The effect of pollution by vehicular exhausts may be responsible for these pulmonary function impairments.
