“Passengers, May I Have Your Attention Please...” – The Airport Diaries of Young COVID-19 Warriors

This article summarizes the novel experiences of a team of medical interns posted at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The authors describe the protocols, guidelines, duties and procedures that were to be followed while deputed to screen the incoming international passengers for possible exposure and symptoms of coronavirus. For the young healthcare workers, in the early days of their internship, being a part of this team was no less than a roller coaster ride. From anxiety and excitement to fatigue and crippling exhaustion, the authors narrate their ordeal as young COVID warriors on duty.

Evaluation of efficacy of whatsapp messenger application in medical research education

Background: There is lack of knowledge regarding research amongst medical students as it is not included in the present curriculum of MBBS. Hence authors have selected ‘Medical Research’ as a topic to evaluate the efficacy of WhatsApp messenger application as a teaching-learning tool. There is very limited research on impact of technological modalities like WhatsApp on education. Authors undertook this study to evaluate its efficacy as a tool to supplement medical research education and assess the perception of students about e-learning via WhatsApp messenger application.Methods: A prospective analytical interventional study was conducted after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. A self-designed comprehensive questionnaire was used to test the knowledge of medical students. A series of modules were sent and discussed on the WhatsApp study groups followed by assessment in change of the level of knowledge amongst the participants post intervention.Results: Applying the paired t-test, the scores of the study participants showed a statistically significant increase in the post- intervention evaluation (Mean=10.13, Median=10, Range=0-21) as compared to the baseline knowledge regarding medical research as reflected in the pre intervention evaluation (Mean=6.76, Median=7, Range=0-16). Conclusions: Growing availability of economical and user friendly smart phones in every generation has promoted use of WhatsApp by teachers as well as students. WhatsApp has the potential to supplement academic learning and become a natural educational modality. Necessary precautions could be taken to minimize the drawbacks expressed by the students to make it a more enjoyable and acceptable tool for teaching and learning

A Rare Case Report of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 with Bladder Ganglioneuroma in a Paediatric Patient

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a rare Autosomal Dominant (AD) disease manifesting in paediatric age group with an incidence of 1/3500 births. It has a varied clinical presentation most commonly involving skin followed by the skeletal and central nervous systems. Genitourinary involvement is very rare. Peripheral neuroblastic tumours are classified into Neuroblastomas (NB), Ganglioneuroblastomas (GNB) and Ganglioneuromas (GN). They are classified according to their stage of maturation in a spectrum, which starts from NB, the most primitive form, and extends to GN, the most mature form. The authors hereby present a rare case report of a paediatric patient presenting with NF1 features and a bladder ganglioneuroma. The 11-year-old male child presented with a history of haematuria since two weeks accompanied with increased micturation frequency and nocturia. Neurocutaneous markers suggestive of a diagnosis of Neurofibromatosis type 1 were observed during clinical examination. Computed Tomography Intravenous Urogram (CT-IVU) revealed a large irregular pelvic mass involving the wall of the urinary bladder. Enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes were observed during exploratory laparotomy, frozen section bipopsy of which was reported as ganglioneuroma. Partial cystectomy was performed along with complete excision of the mass. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of bladder ganglioneuroma

Study of clinical profile and outcomes of patients with hepatitis B infection in India

Background: Ubiquitously spread hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the leading causes of end-stage liver disease. Chronic HBV infection presents with different outcomes including cure, chronic carriers, and death. Objectives: To assess the clinical profile and outcomes of hepatitis B patients admitted in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Mumbai, India. Materials and Methods: This was a single-center, observational, prospective study conducted over a period of 18 months at the medical and gastroenterology wards of King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India. All the newly diagnosed patients of hepatitis B infection aged more than 12 years, admitted during the study duration in the medical and gastroenterology wards were included in the study. Results: A total of 77 patients were studied. The clinical presentations of the patients were: abdominal distension (28.6%), jaundice (24.7%), loss of appetite (24%), pallor (18.2%), leg swelling (16%), gastrointestinal bleeding (11%), fever (11%), altered sensorium (10.4%) malena (9%), hepatic failure (7.8%), hematemesis (7.7), abdominal pain (5%), and oliguria (1%). The associated co-morbidities included: diabetes mellitus (15%), chronic kidney disease (18%), hypertension (19.5%), pulmonary tuberculosis (6.4%), and anemia of chronic disease (5%). Following investigations and treatments, 9.09% achieved cure, 79.22% progressed to chronicity, and 11.09% died. Conclusion: The clinical profile of patients with hepatitis B infection in India is varied and associated with some co-morbidities. Less than one tenth of the patients achieve complete cure while majority progress to chronicity. There is need for improvement in public health enlightenment campaign and quality of care for hepatitis B infection in view of the poor outcomes observed in this study

Analysis of the incidence of polypharmacy in cases of adverse drug reactions at a Tertiary Care Centre in India

Background: Polypharmacy or the use of multiple medications is one of the most common and significant causes of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). While there are potential risks associated with polypharmacy, there are numerous benefits when drugs are combined to cure and alleviate symptoms, or prevent complications. Balancing the risks and benefits is becoming increasingly difficult, especially with the advent of over-the-counter drugs and alternative medicine. Objectives: To determine the incidence and impact of polypharmacy on ADRs in an inpatient medicine ward of a tertiary care hospital in India. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based, prospective, observational, study. The Patients’ data was recorded using a structured ADR reporting form. The baseline parameters, medical history, clinical data, characteristics of ADRs, and details of the medication responsible for ADRs and those used to treat ADRs were recorded. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics with the Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences version 26.0 software. Results: A total of 164 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were admitted during the study period. Of this number with ADR, 95 (57.9%) had polypharmacy while 69 (42.1%) did not have polypharmacy. The observed difference was statistically significant (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.2-2.9; P = 0.004). Conclusion: Polypharmacy is a significant contributor to ADR-related admissions and inpatient ADRs in India. Therefore, there should be careful and adequate consideration before initiating multiple drugs as well as regular follow-up to identify and treat any case of ADR