bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of psychiatric morbidity and cognitive impairment among non-communicable disease patients in Southern Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Authors: Kavya P , Ilanchoorian Divya , Hari Krishnan R 
Published: December 2023

Introduction:
According to the WHO, non-communicable diseases cause 71% of all deaths globally. Despite many studies showing a significant association between non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and cognitive decline, it is not researched in Tamil Nadu. Hence, this study was conducted to screen for psychiatric morbidity and cognitive impairment (CI) among NCD patients in Southern Chennai.

Aims:
The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity and CI and their associated factors among NCD patients attending NCD clinics of tertiary care hospitals.

Methods and Material:
A cross-sectional study was carried out in NCD patients (n = 343) attending an NCD clinic in a tertiary care hospital. Basic sociodemographic and clinical details were obtained by a semi-structured questionnaire. Cognition function and psychiatric morbidity were assessed using mini-mental state examination, patient health questionnaire 9 and generalised anxiety disorder 7 tools, respectively.

Results:
The mean age of the study participants was 58 years. Of 343 participants, 19.2% had severe CI, 26.8% had severe depression, and 29.7% had severe anxiety. Among 180 participants aged 59–86 years, 25.5% participants had osteoarthritis; of these, 41.3% had severe CI (P < 0.0001), 82.6% had severe depression (P < 0.0001) and 63% had severe anxiety (P < 0.027), and their association was statistically significant.

Conclusions:
This study concludes that about one-fourth of the NCD patients suffered from CI and psychiatric morbidity, which are of rising concern. Musculoskeletal diseases are neglected to be assessed under NCDs, and in this study, osteoarthritis was found to be significantly associated with depression, anxiety and CI.
Role of biomarkers in prognostication of moderate and severe COVID-19 cases
Authors: Pal Santasmita , Sengupta Suvendu , Lahiri Subhayan , Ghosh Amrita , Bhowmick Kaushik 
Published: December 2023

Background:
COVID-19 pandemic demanded upgrading of laboratory medicine to limit morbidity, disability and mortality from moderate and severe SARS-COV-2 infections.

Objective:
To assess among moderate and severe COVID-19 patients, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), ferritin, D-dimer, interleukin 6 (IL-6), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total and differential leucocyte count (TLC and DLC), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), absolute platelet count (APC), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and international normalized ratio (INR) to find their interdependence and role in prognosis.

Methods:
This open label analytical cross-sectional noninterventional study evaluated array of independent biochemical, haematological and coagulopathy markers, viz. CRP, PCT, ferritin, D-dimer, IL-6, LDH, TLC, DLC, NLR, absolute platelet count, PT, APTT and INR on consecutive 100 patients with diagnosis of moderate and severe COVID-19 from July to August 2021.

Results:
In our study, on consecutive designated 100 cases (55 cases moderate and 45 cases severe), more severity were reported as the age progressed; gender difference was not noted. Among independent markers, CRP, PCT, ferritin, D-dimer, IL-6 and LDH had statistically significant relation in comparison with severity of the disease as Chi-square calculated value (P < 0.05). TLC, DLC and APC showed no significant relation in comparison with severity of the disease; NLR had highly significant relation. PT showed significant relation in comparison with severity, though APTT and INR did not show significant relation.

Conclusion:
Our research group felt that CRP, PCT, ferritin, D-dimer, IL-6, LDH and NLR should be in included in clinical practice guidelines to prognosticate COVID-19 cases. Furthermore, translational researches are needed at all levels of healthcare to improve validity for practices of primary care physicians.
A cross-sectional study on adherence to treatment and life-style modifications in hypertensive patients attending the urban health centre of a teaching hospital in Hyderabad
Authors: Varma Pavani , Mohandas Anu , Ravulapalli Pratyusha , Pattnaik Snigdha , Varaprasad K Satya 
Published: December 2023

Introduction:
The burden of hypertension is expected to double by 2025 and adherence to treatment has a key role in disease outcome. The World Health Organization defines adherence as the extent to which a person's behaviour of taking medication, following a diet and/or exceeding life-style changes, corresponds with the agreed recommendations of health care providers. The study tries to assess the level of adherence to medication and life-style modifications in hypertensive patients.

Materials and Methods:
It is a cross-sectional study among patients attending urban health centres of a teaching hospital. The study population included all hypertensive patients above 30 years. Based on the prevalence of non-adherence to hypertensive medication, 70% of the sample size is calculated as 182. A Morisky medication adherence scale is used to find adherence to treatment. Life-style modification was also assessed. Scoring was done based on their adherence to treatment and life-style modifications and quantified.

Results:
The mean age of the study population was 55 years (38–80 years). In total, 58.33% were illiterate and 21% were retired from work. Around 87.5% had to spend money on medication. Mean weight, height, hip and waist circumference was 66 kg, 157 cm, 108 cm and 100 cm, respectively. Mean BMI was 26.6. Prevalence of good adherence to medication was 129 (70.83%) and that of good life-style modifications was 127 (70.17%).

Conclusion:
The adherence to medication and life-style modification was satisfactory. Family physicians have a key role in Non communicable diseases (NCD) management and should focus on ongoing education programmes for treatment adherence and life-style modifications at a community level, and grass-root level workers should conduct regular follow-up activities.
Breastfeeding pattern and its relationship with weight gain in children older than 6 months
Authors: Esfarjani Shahla V. , Alaei Saeid , Saki Azadeh 
Published: December 2023

Introduction:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breastfeeding is the best way to feed infants. Adoption of some inappropriate nutritional patterns along with breast milk, especially in infants older than 6 months, may lead to a delay in the child's growth. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between breastfeeding and weight gain in children aged 6–24 months.

Materials and Methods:
This case-control study was conducted on 120 infants aged 6–24 months and their mothers recruited from health centers of Ahvaz, southwest of Iran. The data collection tool in the present study included a questionnaire to record demographic information and information in the child's medical records in health centers. Statistical analysis of the data was done by SPSS 23 using the Chi-square test and t-test.

Results:
No significant difference was observed between the control and case groups in terms of the infant's age (P = 0.741) and gender (P = 0.564) and the mothers' age (P = 0.614), her educational attainment (P = 0.389), and socioeconomic status of the infant's family (P = 0.563). The type of delivery (P = 0.650), mothers' opinion (P = 0.133), and the interval between breastfeeding and complementary feeding (P = 0.144) had no significant relationship with the infant's growth disorder. On the other hand, duration of breastfeeding per meal (P = 0.007) and frequent breastfeeding (dependency on the mother's breast) (P = 0.049) had a significant relationship with children's developmental disorders.

Conclusion:
According to the results of the present study, growth disorders in infants in the case group could be attributed to their mothers' inappropriate breastfeeding patterns.
Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase level as a risk factor in acute stroke
Authors: Ismail Quazi M. , Prasad Manoj K. , Marandi Sujeet , Guria Rishi T. , Dungdung Ajit 
Published: December 2023

Background:Worldwide stroke is the second major cause of mortality and the fourth prominent cause of disease load after coronary heart disease and all types of malignancy. Greater than 3/4thof these cases are in low-priced and middle-priced nations. Several epidemiological studies have shown that alcohol consumption is a risk factor for stroke. The correlation between alcohol consumption and stroke involves various processes. For excessive alcohol consumption, GGT (gamma glutamyl transferase) is used as a marker. The study aims to see whether serum GGT level is an independent risk factor for stroke in young and elderly patients who do not have a history of alcohol intake.Material and Method:The study is an analytical cross-sectional comparative hospital-based study done in the Department of Medicine, RIMS, Ranchi from November 2019 to April 2021. A total number of 100 cases including both sexes who presented with the first episode of stroke have been compared with 100 age–sex-matched healthy control subjects without any cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disease meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. Analysis of data is done by SPSS software and R studio software.Result:Serum GGT is lower in the age group of 40–60 years (24-hour GGT mean 50.70 U/L+SD 16.86) than the age group of 60–80 years (24-hour GGT 65.89 U/L+SD59.04) with aPvalue of 0.005. This is also true in 48-hour GGT (48.02 U/L+SD16.02) in 40–60 years compared to 57.94 U/L+SD42.81 in 60–80 years with aPvalue of 0.001 and 72-hour GGT (44.80 U/L+SD16.98) in 40–60 years compared to the mean (56.16 U/L+SD43.82) in 60–80 years with aPvalue of 0.001. This suggests that serum GGT level is significantly lower in the 40–60 years age group with aPvalue < 0.01. The serum GGT level in the case population is mean 58.30 (U/L) + SD43.87, and that in the control group is mean 17.48 (U/L) + SD4.32 withPvalue < 0.001. This implies an increased level of serum GGT level in stroke patients.Conclusion:Serum GGT level is independently correlated with stroke even in the presence of other risk factors for stroke such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Serum GGT level is more in hypertensive, dyslipidemic, and ischemic stroke patients than in non-hypertensive, non-dyslipidemic, non-ischemic stroke patients, but serum GGT level cannot predict the outcome (survival or death) in stroke patients.
Determinants of awareness on pictorial health warnings on tobacco products in an Eastern state of India
Authors: Naik Bijaya N. , Nirala Santosh K. , Patil Shreyas , Rao Rajath , Yankannavar Basavaraj S. 
Published: December 2023

Background:
Pictorial health warnings (PHW) are an effective strategy to deter or reduce tobacco use. This study was conducted to determine the level of awareness of PHWs on tobacco products and their correlates among adults attending the outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary care facility in Eastern India.

Materials and Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 3 months among 307 patients aged 18 years to 65 years. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used for the collection of data and inferential statistics were performed using JAMOVI version 2.3.21.

Results:
About 84% (95% CI, 78.9-87.2) of the participants were aware of PHW on tobacco products, 82.4% (95% CI, 77.8-86.3) for smoked forms and 51.8% (95% CI, 46.2-57.3) for smokeless forms. More than half of the participants felt that the current PHW were ineffective. Male [AOR, 3.13; 95% CI, 1.33-7.37], being educated [AOR, 3.37; 95% CI, 1.29-8.76], employment [AOR, 5.65; 95% CI, 1.21-26.30] and ever-tobacco use [AOR, 3.23; 95% CI, 1.43-7.2] were found to be independent correlates of PHW awareness for smoked tobacco products, whereas as being male [AOR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.02-3.95] and being young (18-30 years) [AOR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.08-5.84] were found to be the independent predictors of PHW awareness for smokeless tobacco products (SLT).

Conclusion:
Four out of every five individuals were aware of pictorial health warnings (PHW) on tobacco products; however, it was much less for SLT compared to smoked tobacco products. Male, being educated, employment and ever-tobacco use were independent correlates of awareness for the smoked form of tobacco products, whereas being young (18-30 years) was an independent predictor of awareness for SLT.
Congenital tuberculosis causing hydrops fetalis: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Bansal Eshita , Mehra Shuchi , Bhalla Kapil 
Published: December 2023

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease of which congenital TB is a rare form even in TB-endemic countries such as India. There are very few case reports of the same in the literature. Though the incidence rate of congenital TB is low, mortality rates are very high.
Here, we report a case of a 2-day-old neonate who presented to Pediatrics Accident and Emergency with complaints of fast breathing and swelling all over the body. The baby had swelling all over the body and subcutaneous edema suggestive of hydrops fetalis. She was investigated and subsequently diagnosed to have congenital TB for which appropriate treatment was started. The baby is still on regular follow-up with no active complaints.
Evaluation of Potential Drug–Drug Interactions and Risk Factors in Elderly Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Singh Alok , Kannauje Pankaj Kumar , Dhaneria Suryaprakash , Balasundaram Mahesh Kumar 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background and Objectives:
The geriatric population is at excessive risk of potential drug–drug interactions (pDDIs). Nevertheless, polypharmacy is quoted as a significant associated factor; several other factors were only explored a little. The study aimed to evaluate the profile of pDDIs and the associated risk factors among geriatric peripheral neuropathy patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Materials and Methods:
The study was an extended evaluation of data gathered during a randomized clinical trial for the first-line drugs used to treat peripheral neuropathy, which enrolled participants aged ≥60 years. Data were collected from the outpatient department cards of the patients and were scrutinized using Lexicomp-UpToDate software.

Results:
The study included 80 patients. Most (56.3%) were male, and half of the included patients had diabetes. In the analysis of 80 prescriptions, 55 different drugs were prescribed. The incidence of pDDIs was 40%. About 57.5% of prescriptions had at least one fixed-dose combination (FDC). Polypharmacy (≥5 drugs) was observed in 41.2% of the prescriptions. Among the several risk factors analyzed, patients with >2 comorbidities (RR: 1.99; confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–3.65; P = 0.02*), the triad of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia (RR; 2.27; CI: 1.42–3.62; P = 0.003*), receiving polypharmacy (RR: 5.1; CI: 2.5–10.35; P = 0.00001*), and FDC (RR: 7.14; CI: 2.3–21.53; P = 0.00001*) were found to be statistically significant predictors of pDDIs.

Conclusion:
Our study found that multimorbidities lead to polypharmacy and FDC, resulting in clinically significant pDDIs.
Verbal Recall in Aging: Effects of Stimulus Modality
Authors: Niharika M. K. , Rashmi D. G. , Aishwarya G. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Purpose:
Free recall tasks target cognitive and linguistic processes such as episodic memory, lexical access, and retrieval. Consequently, the free recall paradigm is suitable for assessing memory deterioration caused by aging, which can be influenced by stimulus presentation modality. Hence, the present study aimed to determine if aging has an effect on visual and auditory recall abilities.

Materials and Methods:
Twenty young adults (mean age: 25.4 ± 0.99) and older adults (mean age: 63.3 ± 3.51) participated in the study. Participants performed a free recall task under two conditions – related and unrelated and two modalities – visual and auditory where they were instructed to recall as many items as possible with no specific order and time limit.

Results:
Free recall performance was calculated as the mean number of correctly recalled items. Although younger participants recalled a higher number of items, the performance across conditions and modality was variable.

Conclusions:
The findings of the present study revealed an age-related decline in the efficiency of episodic memory, which is crucial to remember recent events.
Risk Factors for Mortality in Elderly COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Fernandes Jonita Evett , Ashok J. M. R. Michael , Idiculla Jyothi 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background:
Advancing age and multimorbidity are well-established risk factors for the incidence and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.

Aims:
To describe the clinical profile of hospitalized elderly patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and to assess the risk factors for mortality.

Methodology:
Data on 465 consecutive patients aged 60 years and above admitted with COVID-19 at St John’s Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results:
A total of 465 patients were included for the analysis. The overall mean age of the study group was 67 ± 4 years with 315 (67.9%) male patients. Eighty-one patients had mild, 117 had moderate, and 267 had severe COVID-19. After adjusting for age, gender, glycemic status, and COVID severity in the multivariate logistic regression analysis, elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.93 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14–3.29), end stage renal disease (aOR 3.49, 95% CI 1.34–9.06), acute kidney injury (aOR 3.25, 95% CI 1.94–5.41), shock (aOR 13.53 95% CI 6.35–28.82), mechanical ventilation (aOR 8.53, 95% CI 4.85–15.00), and intensive care unit care (aOR 14.5 95% CI 7.42–28.38) were the independent predictors of mortality.

Conclusion:
COVID-19 is characterized by poor outcomes and mortality, especially among older patients who have multiple comorbid illness.
Low Back Pain: An Unusual Presentation of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Srivatsa Niveda , Vijayakumar Priya 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a lymphoid tissue neoplasm originating from B- and T-cells and usually presents with fever, lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly. Here is a case of NHL who presented to us with low backache. We describe a patient 63 year old female who had a known history of systemic hypertension, presented with spasmodic low back pain. On examination, she had a single right lymph node 1 cm × 2 cm palpable with spinal tenderness. Her blood reports were all within normal limits with slightly elevated inflammatory markers. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed multiple enlarged lymph nodes in the abdomen, which were compressing the celiac plexus. After a lymph node biopsy, it was revealed that she had follicular NHL. On the initiation of steroids and chemotherapy, her pain subsided. NHL has a variety of presentations. It is not necessary always fever should be a part of the presentation. Physicians should have a suspicion of lymphoma also in patients presenting with low backache.
Social Isolation and Depression and Its Predictors among Elderly of the Urban Field Practice Area of a Medical College: A Community-based Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Sayed Naila N. , Salunke Nandkumar Manikrao , Parande Malangori Abdulgani , Tambe Muralidhar P. , Bugade Vishvamohini Dinkar , Borle Pradip S. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background:
The elderly population in India has been increasing rapidly. It has become crucial to the public health systems in India to meet the changing needs of this ever-growing population such as medical, psychological and social problems, mobility disorders, falls, incontinence, pressure ulcers, dementia, and delirium.

Aim:
This study aims to study the social isolation and depression and its predictors among the elderly population of the urban field practice area of a medical college.

Objectives:
(1) To estimate the prevalence of social isolation and depression among the elderly. (2) To study the predictors of social isolation and depression. (3) To find out the association between social isolation and depression.

Settings and Design:
The community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 elderly population from the urban field practice area of medical college.

Subjects and Methods:
The Lubben Social Network Scale – having 6 items and Geriatric Depression Scale – having 15 items were used to assess social isolation and depression.

Statistical Analysis:
Data were entered into MS Excel and analyzed using SPSS version 20.

Results:
This study showed the prevalence of social isolation was 62.8%, depression was 43.9% among elderly and having mild depression (18.9%), moderate depression (13.9%), and severe depression (11.1%). The predictors for social isolation and depression were living status and education status.

Conclusions:
The study revealed that the majority of the elderly were socially isolated and depressed. Screening of elderly for social isolation should be done. Living status and education status were found to be the predictors of social isolation and depression. In addition, being socially isolated can lead to depression.
Effect of stress on contextual pain sensitivity in the preoperative period- A proof of concept study
Authors: Padhy Shibani , Fatima Ruhi , Jena Shubhranshu , Kar Akhya Kumar , Durga Padmaja , Neeradi Vishal Kumar 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackground and Aims:The importance of non-noxious contextual inputs in the interplay of pain with neurophysiologic and behavioral factors is gaining recognition. Stress of impending surgery can act as a negative context, leading to a decrease in pain threshold in patients. This study was conducted to assess the influence of stress conferred by the imminent and other contextual inputs such as anxiety, socioeconomic status, prior painful experience, and the effect of gender on modulation of pain perception in patients undergoing elective surgery.Material and Methods:In total, 120 patients aged between 18 and 60 years of either gender posted for elective gastrointestinal surgery under general anesthesia were recruited. Data were collected on preoperative anxiety level, socioeconomic status, education, and any prior painful experience. A pressure algometer was used to measure the pressure pain thresholds and pain tolerance on the day before surgery and on the morning of surgery in the preoperative suite.Results:There was a statistically significant decrease in both pain threshold (P< 0.0001) and pain tolerance in the immediate preoperative period in comparison to the baseline readings taken the day before surgery (P= 0.048). The magnitude of change in pain scalars was greater in females (P< 0.001), those with a high anxiety score, and a history of severe painful experience in the past.Conclusion:Preoperative surgical stress lowers the pain threshold and pain tolerance. Contextual modulation of pain by factors such as anxiety and memory of prior painful experience, especially in the female gender, could influence postoperative patient outcomes and warrants further research.