Heart attack encroaching fourth decade: autopsy study of western Maharashtra

Background: Indians are known to have the highest coronary artery disease (CAD) rates, and the conventional risk factors fail to explain this increased risk. At present, India has the highest burden of acute coronary syndrome and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: An autopsy study of 6 years: January 2015 to December 2020 which included heart specimens affected by MI from medicolegal autopsies received in histopathology section. The received heart specimens were fixed in 10% formalin and processed as per routine histotechniques with H&E stain and slides prepared were studied under light microscopy. Results: Maximum number of myocardial infarction cases 21 (23.5%) were seen in the age group of 41-50. Commonest histopathological pattern noted was Healed myocardial infarction 38 (42.6%), followed by acute myocardial infarction (AMI) 29 (32.5%) then acute with healed myocardial infarction (AHMI) 22 (24.7%). Conclusions: Atherosclerosis being the most common cause of MI but frequency of non-atherosclerotic myocardial infarction is rising in 4th decade which is a matter of concern. The study of human atherosclerotic lesion is an extremely difficult task in a living subject and an autopsy study is the best possible way to work on it

Students’ perspective on absenteeism: a cross-sectional study among students at government medical colleges of Western Maharashtra

Background: The professional courses as undergraduate medical education need high theoretical and clinical classes attendance as those students will be future doctors and will deal with the health and disease of the public. In spite of implementing strict policies regarding student attendance, the rate of absenteeism in medical colleges remains high and is a growing apprehension a phenomenon that is also on the rise in universities worldwide. Methods: A cross-sectional study in few Governments Medical Colleges of Western region of Maharashtra using a self-administered questionnaire. Data was collected and analysed through Google forms. Results: Preparatory leave before every examination required (50.7%), air-conditioned classrooms (49.7%), good ventilated classrooms (44.1%), interactive teachers (41.8%), decrease lecture duration (38%), more practical less theory classes (37.6%) and good transportation facilities (34.3%) were various major suggestions given by students to increase the overall attendance. Conclusions: Feedback from students must be repeatedly considered while designing and revising the curriculum to reduce absenteeism