A study on the prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome among students of a medical college

Background: Obesity is emerging as a serious problem throughout the world. The overall life expectancy is significantly shortened and the quality of life decreased in those who are excessively overweight. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by a constellation of individual risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Central obesity is a key feature of this syndrome, reflecting the fact that the syndrome’s prevalence is driven by strong relationship between waist circumference and increasing obesity. Awareness about MetS in medical students is the need of the hour.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr. PSIMS and RF, Chinnoutpalli, Andhra Pradesh, India involving 400 medical students. A pre-tested questionnaire, measurement of blood pressure, fasting glucose level, fasting lipid profile, anthropometric variables such as height, weight, waist circumference and hip circumference were taken. Metabolic syndrome was defined based on the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Data was processed using SPSS version 16. T-test, chi-square test, fisher’s exact test, anova and odd’s ratio were used for statistical analysis.Results: 59% of the study population was female. The prevalence of obesity was 4%, with majority being males (81.25%) The MetS prevalence as per the International diabetes federation (IDF) criteria was 6% (n=24). The prevalence of MetS in males was 12.19% (n=20) and in females 1.69%. (n=4). The risk of developing metabolic syndrome is high among those who smoke, consume alcohol, consume junk food and sleep for longer durations.Conclusions: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is 6%. A significant association is established between life style habits like smoking, alcohol consumption, junk food consumption, sleep duration and MetS

Microtia Reconstruction: Our Strategies to Improve the Outcomes

Introduction: Autologous costal cartilage framework placement is currently the gold standard in patients with microtia. In this article, we present the modifications developed by the author, generally following the principles established by Nagata, and discuss the technical details that have led us to achieve consistently stable and good long-term outcomes for auricular reconstruction in microtia. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of microtia reconstruction performed from 2015 to 2021 was done. Those who underwent primary reconstruction for microtia and with a minimum follow-up of 6 months with documented photographs were included. Those who underwent secondary reconstruction for microtia and those who did not follow-up for a minimum period of 6 months were excluded. Outcomes were assessed with regard to appearance, and durability of the result. Influence of certain changes like delaying reconstruction until 15 years of age, use of nylon for framework fabrication, etc. over the outcome were assessed. Results: Of 11 ears reconstructed at less than 15 years of age, only one patient (9%) had a good long-term outcome, whereas of the 17 ears reconstructed at greater than 15 years of age, nine patients (53%) had a good long-term outcome. In our experience, infections and wire extrusions were the significant events related to severe cartilage resorption. Conclusion: In our experience, delaying the first stage to 15 years or later, using double-armed nylon sutures, and reducing the projection of the third layer of the framework in select cases have helped to improve our outcomes. Second stage of reconstruction can be avoided if patient is satisfied with the projection achieved in the first stage