STUDY OF LEVELS OF SERUM CREATINE PHOSPHOKINASE AND LIVER ENZYMES AS A PROGNOSTIC INDICATORS IN ACUTE ORGANOPHOSPHORUS POISONING

Background: Organophosphorus (OP) poisoning is one of the most common poisoning in rural and in developing country. Due to their easy availability and cost effective it is used frequently for homicidal and suicidal attempts. Routinely used biochemical markers like Erythrocyte cholinesterase (EChE) and Plasma cholinesterase (PChE) are used for the diagnosis of acute organophosphorus (OP) poisoning but estimation of these are very costly and not easily available. The mortality increases with increase in initial creatine phosphokinase level and can be used as alternative biomarker. Hence study was done to estimate levels of serum Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) and liver enzymes in acute OP poisoning patients and its prognostic significance. Methodology: Patients (80) admitted in our hospital were included in this study. A brief history and detailed clinical examination was performed and patients were categorized on the basis Modified Dreisbach\u27s clinical criteria classification. Serum levels of Creatine kinase (CK) and Liver enzymes were analysed at the time of admission. The outcome of the patients were observed. Results: Out of 80 patients recruited for the study, 41 cases (51.3%) were females, and 39 cases (48.8%) were males. Majority of them were in the age group of 21-30 years. More cases of OP poisoning were among agriculturalists 28 (35%) and housewife 21 (28.8%) and among students 15 (18.8%). Malathion was the most common compound used followed by Monocrotphos. 60% had mild, 31.3% had moderate and 8.8% had severe poisoning. There is increase in Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) levels in 6 patients who survived with ventilator support and also in 2 patients who died with ventilator support which was statistically highly significant (p<0.05). Serum liver enzymes were within normal limits. Conclusion: Elevated Creatine kinase is commonly seen in OPC poisoning. High initial serum Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) levels are associated with severe degree of poisoning and are associated with complications and mortality. Serum liver enzymes (SGOT AND SGPT) are not elevated in OP poisoning

Differentiating transudative and exudative pleural effusion by pleural fluid cholesterol

Background: Pleural effusion is one of the common condition encountered in day to day practise. Pleural effusions represent a very common diagnostic task to the physician. A correct diagnosis of the underlying disease is essential to rational management. Today there are a number of laboratory tests available to differentiate exudates and transudates which are considered cost effective to the patients, so this study was designed for the measurement of pleural fluid cholesterol to differentiate transudative and exudative pleural effusions (sensitivity-97.8%, specificity-100%) with the advantage that a contemporary blood sample is not required, thereby lowering cost of diagnostic procedure. Objectives: To study the diagnostic value of Pleural fluid Cholesterol in differentiating transudative and exudative pleural effusions. Methodology: This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted on patients of pleural effusion (n=60)age >18 years patients with definitive clinical diagnosis and evidenced by radiological diagnosis of pleural effusion were taken as inclusion criteria. Results: The results showed majority of the patients were males (63.3%) and females (36.7%). According to lights criteria 46 patients were exudates and 14 patients were transudates and according to Pleural fluid Cholesterol criteria 45 patients were exudates and 15 patients were transudates with sensitivity of 97.8% and specificity of 100% and accuracy of 98.3%. Conclusion: The pleural fluid cholesterol criteria were found to be the most efficient criteria. Since this parameter involves the measurement of only pleural fluid values of cholesterol, it has following advantages-Economically it reduces number of biochemical tests and Simpler as there is no need to take simultaneous blood sample at the time of thoracocentesis

Differentiating transudative and exudative pleural effusion by pleural fluid cholesterol

Background: Pleural effusion is one of the common condition encountered in day to day practise. Pleural effusions represent a very common diagnostic task to the physician. A correct diagnosis of the underlying disease is essential to rational management. Today there are a number of laboratory tests available to differentiate exudates and transudates which are considered cost effective to the patients, so this study was designed for the measurement of pleural fluid cholesterol to differentiate transudative and exudative pleural effusions (sensitivity-97.8%, specificity-100%) with the advantage that a contemporary blood sample is not required, thereby lowering cost of diagnostic procedure. Objectives: To study the diagnostic value of Pleural fluid Cholesterol in differentiating transudative and exudative pleural effusions. Methodology: This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted on patients of pleural effusion (n=60)age >18 years patients with definitive clinical diagnosis and evidenced by radiological diagnosis of pleural effusion were taken as inclusion criteria. Results: The results showed majority of the patients were males (63.3%) and females (36.7%). According to lights criteria 46 patients were exudates and 14 patients were transudates and according to Pleural fluid Cholesterol criteria 45 patients were exudates and 15 patients were transudates with sensitivity of 97.8% and specificity of 100% and accuracy of 98.3%. Conclusion: The pleural fluid cholesterol criteria were found to be the most efficient criteria. Since this parameter involves the measurement of only pleural fluid values of cholesterol, it has following advantages-Economically it reduces number of biochemical tests and Simpler as there is no need to take simultaneous blood sample at the time of thoracocentesis

STUDY OF LEVELS OF SERUM CREATINE PHOSPHOKINASE AND LIVER ENZYMES AS A PROGNOSTIC INDICATORS IN ACUTE ORGANOPHOSPHORUS POISONING

Background: Organophosphorus (OP) poisoning is one of the most common poisoning in rural and in developing country. Due to their easy availability and cost effective it is used frequently for homicidal and suicidal attempts. Routinely used biochemical markers like Erythrocyte cholinesterase (EChE) and Plasma cholinesterase (PChE) are used for the diagnosis of acute organophosphorus (OP) poisoning but estimation of these are very costly and not easily available. The mortality increases with increase in initial creatine phosphokinase level and can be used as alternative biomarker. Hence study was done to estimate levels of serum Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) and liver enzymes in acute OP poisoning patients and its prognostic significance. Methodology: Patients (80) admitted in our hospital were included in this study. A brief history and detailed clinical examination was performed and patients were categorized on the basis Modified Dreisbach's clinical criteria classification. Serum levels of Creatine kinase (CK) and Liver enzymes were analysed at the time of admission. The outcome of the patients were observed. Results: Out of 80 patients recruited for the study, 41 cases (51.3%) were females, and 39 cases (48.8%) were males. Majority of them were in the age group of 21-30 years. More cases of OP poisoning were among agriculturalists 28 (35%) and housewife 21 (28.8%) and among students 15 (18.8%). Malathion was the most common compound used followed by Monocrotphos. 60% had mild, 31.3% had moderate and 8.8% had severe poisoning. There is increase in Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) levels in 6 patients who survived with ventilator support and also in 2 patients who died with ventilator support which was statistically highly significant (p<0.05). Serum liver enzymes were within normal limits. Conclusion: Elevated Creatine kinase is commonly seen in OPC poisoning. High initial serum Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) levels are associated with severe degree of poisoning and are associated with complications and mortality. Serum liver enzymes (SGOT AND SGPT) are not elevated in OP poisoning

Clinical, Laboratory and Etiological Profile of Community Acquired Pneumonia in Elderly

Background: Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) is third leading cause of death in older people worldwide. Apart from typical symptoms the elderly present with atypical symptoms. The diagnosis of pneumonia and its treatment poses a challenge for clinicians. Aim and Objectives: The study was undertaken to study clinical, radiological and bacterial profile of CAP in elderly (> 60 years). Material and Methods: The elderly patient population consisted of 63 patients admitted with the diagnosis of CAP, as defined by British Thoracic society, were included in this prospective observational study over 24 months. Results: Among 63 patients, males were 38(60%) and females 25(40%), predominantly between the age group 60-74 years. Diabetes mellitus 12(19%) and anaemia 12(19%) were common co-morbidities. Cough 62(98%) was predominant presenting symptom. Patients presenting with atypical symptoms were 19(30%). Staphylococcus aureus was commonly isolated organism in 20(32%) patients on sputum examination. Left lower zone was commonly involved in 29(47%) on chest radiogram. The commonest complication was acute kidney injury in 9(15%).The overall mortality was 13% in this study group. Conclusion: CAP in elderly is a serious problem in clinical practice. In view of atypical presentation and associated co-morbidities, there is a delay in diagnosis, treatment initiation which may result in to high mortality. Early recognition, health education and awareness regarding pneumococcal vaccination are necessary