An observational study of effect on quality of life in perimenopausal females suffering from urinary incontinence

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) affects many older adults. Some of its deleterious consequences include stress, major depression, diminished quality of life, sexual dysfunction, and familial discord. Despite a wealth of research contributions on this topic, the available literature is under representative of ethnic minority older women.Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted by taking a group of 225 females of perimenopausal age group. Patients were assessed clinically for the diagnosis of urinary incontinence and effect on quality of life was assessed. Further testing was done depending on the storage symptoms & voiding symptoms and included residual volume assessment by ultrasound, cystometry, complex urodynamic test and cystoscopy. The data obtained and the socio-demographic data recorded in a structured proforma. The data obtained was assessed, analysed and results were drawn thereafter.Results: In our study the prevalence of UI was found to be 18%. Maximum prevalence was seen in the age group of 61-70 years. Highest numbers were found to have stress incontinence 60.44%, followed by 23.55% of urge, overflow 5.33% and 10.66% mixed symptoms. The impact was equitable over all dimensions measured for QOL, namely activity limitation (28.44%), social interaction limitation (35.11%), sexual activity limitation (16%), financial burden increased (3.55%), emotional upset and distress (16.88%).Conclusions: In the present study, we determined the prevalence of UI among 200 community-dwelling, ethnically diverse older women, discovered that our new UI screener is reliable, and did not find the UI-depression link to be significant

Correlation of waist circumference with metabolic syndrome in females attending gynaecology OPD at a tertiary care centre

Background: The metabolic syndrome is an aging-related cluster of metabolic disorders associated with excess adiposity, and plausibly mechanistically linked. The primary goal of recognizing an individual as having the metabolic syndrome was to identify persons at heightened risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Secondarily, by design, the diagnosis also helped identify individuals with high risk for other endocrinal imbalance if they did not already have it. So this study was carried out to identify the co-relation between waist circumference and other risk factors with metabolic syndrome and to ascertain their significance.Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted in Out Patient Department (OPD) of a tertiary care centre with a study population of 50 patients attending OPD with any gynaecological problem having waist circumference > 85 cm.Results: Twenty eight patients (56%) had metabolic syndrome depicting a significant co-relation (p value < 0.05). Thus, increase in WC more than 85cm is directly proportional to the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.Conclusions: We conclude that Waist circumference is directly related to prevalence of metabolic syndrome which is on increase due to sedentary life style. Such patients are also prone to hormonal imbalance, specifically hypothyroidism

The copper conundrum: a case of toxicity and altered mental status in a young male with opioid dependency

Copper is a trace element with higher concentrations in the brain, liver, and kidneys. Its toxicity is rare in humans because of its homeostatic mechanisms. This case highlights a 30-year-old male with a history of opioid abuse and occupational exposure to metallurgy. Despite treatment, a gradual neurological worsening prompted us for heavy metal screening and nerve conduction velocity study (NCV) which revealed copper toxicity and demyelinating polyneuropathy. Following the initiation of D-penicillamine therapy, he showed gradual improvement. The coexistence of opioid abuse and dependency posed challenges in the clinical presentation, necessitating a comprehensive approach to effectively manage both opioid withdrawal and evaluation for other toxic substances

Understanding triangulated collaboration of work-life balance, personality traits and eudaimonic well-being

This paper aims to understand the relationship between personality traits, work-life balance (WLB) and eudaimonic well-being (EWB) among individuals in education sector. It is hypothesized that big five personality traits are positively related to different components of WLB and further components of WLB are positively related to different components of EWB. Data were collected from 504 business school teachers through a structured questionnaire from national capital region (NCR) of India. Analysis is done using structural equation modeling. The result indicate that big five personality traits influence all the dimensions of WLB and, hence, are important predictor variables. Finding also suggests that work interference with personal life and health dimensions of WLB significantly impacts EWB. Whereas personal life interference with work and work personal life enhancement dimension of WLB were found to have significant impact on some dimensions of EWB, the outcomes have practical implication in dispositional job design, developing supportive policies, work-life culture and eudaimonia oriented interface for maximizing individual and organizational outcomes. The study reflects towards work-life balance in a novel socio-cultural context and promotes possibility of the mediating role of WLB to the relationships between personality traits and EWB

Treatment of clavicle fracture using wise lock clavicle hook plate and wise lock superior anterior clavicle plate

Background: Clavicle fracture is common in adults associated with high non-union rate and post-operative complications. The aim of this prospective study was to reduce the postoperative complications in clavicle fracture (Type 15-A2 and 15-B1) by using wise lock plates (manufactured by Auxein Medical Private Limited).Methods: In this prospective study of 25 patients (11 patients had 15-A2 fracture, 14 patients had 15-B1 fracture) recruited with one year follows up period followed by physical exercises after one month of the surgery. The fractures were treated with two different plates: 3.5 mm wise lock clavicle hook plate and 3.5 mm wise lock superior anterior clavicle plate. X-ray was used to check the union, non-union. Functional outcome of the patients were assessed by the visual analogue scale (VAS) score at post-operative follow up at 4 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months and 1 year.Results: Postoperative outcome was good with none of the patients showing non-union or delay in the union of fracture site. The encountered complication registered were residual pain which was mild (4 cases), and hypoesthesia (2 cases).Conclusions: Osteosynthesis of clavicle fracture with 3.5 mm diameter locking plates attributed as superior, anterior and hook plating system showed excellent results with low rate of complications

Pattern of adverse drug reactions reported at a tertiary care teaching hospital in northern India

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are among the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in hospital setup. This study was conducted with the aim of understanding the pattern and occurrence of ADRs to minimize their risk and safeguard public health.Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of pattern of ADRs reported at ADR monitoring centre (AMC) in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 207 spontaneous ADR reports collected over a period of 18 months were analysed for pattern and type of reactions, demographic profile of patients, organ system affected by ADRs, causative drugs, route of drug administration, severity of reaction, their outcome, management and causality assessment.Results: Most common age group affected by ADRs was 41-50 years with almost equal involvement of male and female gender. Cutaneous reactions involving skin like rashes and itching were most common ADRs. The most common causative drug for ADRs were antimicrobials agents like Penicillin and Cephalosporin group of antibiotics. Orally administered drugs were most commonly involved in causing ADRs. Most of the ADRs belonged to Type A category, were non-serious and moderate in severity. Most of the patients recovered from the ADRs on stopping the suspected drug. On assessing the causality, most of the ADRs were probable with the suspected drugs.Conclusions: Most of the patients recover from ADRs with appropriate and timely intervention, but it is important to understand the pattern and occurrence of ADRs for patient safety and this is possible only with an effective and robust pharmacovigilance system

Antibacterial Evaluation of Plant Extracts: an insight into Phytomedicine

This study was carried out to evaluate the antibacterial activity of petroleum ether, methanol and aqueous extract of the two plant Ocimum sanctum and pepper nigrum extract using agar well diffusion and broth dilution method against gram-positive bacterial strains (B. firmus, B. megaterium and B. cereus) and gram-negative bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae). The results indicate that petroleum ether extract compare to methanol and aqueous extract of O. sanctum and P. nigrum exhibited significant antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 0.13 to 0.21x 10-4 mg/well concentration. Moreover, gram-negative bacteria were less susceptible against petroleum ether, methanol and aqueous extract of O. sanctum and P. nigrum and their MIC ranging from 0.13 to 0.21x 10-2. The most susceptible organism to the organic extracts from both studied plants was B. firmus and the most resistant organism was Enterobacter sp. The result obtained with B. cereus and K. pneumoniae were particularly interesting, since it was inhibited by antibiotic ampicillin used and susceptibility was observed with the individual extracts, where higher antibacterial activity with petroleum ether and aqueous extracts of O. sanctum and P. nigrum respectively.  The presence of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannins, saponin, triterpenoids, steroids and glycosides in the extracts of these plants supports their traditional uses as medicinal plants for the treatment of various ailments. The present study reveals potential use of these plants for developing new antibacterial herbal drugs against pathogenic microorganisms

Antibacterial Evaluation of Plant Extracts: an insight into Phytomedicine

This study was carried out to evaluate the antibacterial activity of petroleum ether, methanol and aqueous extract of the two plant Ocimum sanctum and pepper nigrum extract using agar well diffusion and broth dilution method against gram-positive bacterial strains (B. firmus, B. megaterium and B. cereus) and gram-negative bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae). The results indicate that petroleum ether extract compare to methanol and aqueous extract of O. sanctum and P. nigrum exhibited significant antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 0.13 to 0.21x 10-4 mg/well concentration. Moreover, gram-negative bacteria were less susceptible against petroleum ether, methanol and aqueous extract of O. sanctum and P. nigrum and their MIC ranging from 0.13 to 0.21x 10-2. The most susceptible organism to the organic extracts from both studied plants was B. firmus and the most resistant organism was Enterobacter sp. The result obtained with B. cereus and K. pneumoniae were particularly interesting, since it was inhibited by antibiotic ampicillin used and susceptibility was observed with the individual extracts, where higher antibacterial activity with petroleum ether and aqueous extracts of O. sanctum and P. nigrum respectively.  The presence of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannins, saponin, triterpenoids, steroids and glycosides in the extracts of these plants supports their traditional uses as medicinal plants for the treatment of various ailments. The present study reveals potential use of these plants for developing new antibacterial herbal drugs against pathogenic microorganisms

Impact of Ayurvedic Interventions to improve the Nutritional Status among Adolescent Girls and Children under-five years in Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat

Introduction: Anaemia is the global public health crisis, so also in India. The most direct connection between Pandu Roga and nutritional deficiency anaemia can be found in Ayurveda. Ayurvedic remedy was put through a clinical study on anaemic adolescent girls because anaemia is commonly prevalent that affects the society and the side effects of oral allopathic iron preparations are highly common. The present study assesses the impact of ayurvedic medicines in improving the nutritional status among anemic adolescent girls and severely underweight children under five years of age in Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat. Method: The pre-post study was registered with Clinical Trial Registry of India conducted at Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat. A total of 450 anaemic adolescent girls and 179 severely underweight children were screened respectively. Adolescent girls were provided with Faltrikadhi Kavath, Purnanavardi Mandur, and Amalaki Rasayan. Under-five children was given Shishubhaishaj granules in powder form. The study was conducted in three phases (Baseline, Intervention and Endline Assessment). Results: A total of 219 adolescent girls and 120 under-five children was evaluated during endline assessment. The mean improvement in Hb was +0.36 gm/dL for 219 subjects, however subjects (n=99) with better compliance shows significant improvement (+1.07 gm/dL, P=0.005). Under five children shows improvement in their anthropometric measurements (WAZ). Conclusion: The present study revealed that Ayurvedic intervention can improve Hb status of adolescent girls only with better compliance. The study also reports the reason of non-compliance and ways to address it