A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY TO EVALUATE ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY IN SCRUB TYPHUS PATIENTS: ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY IN SCRUB TYPHUS PATIENTS

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted with the objective to estimate the incidence and severity of acute kidney injury [AKI] scrub typhus patients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted 90 patients diagnosed with scrub typhus in a tertiary care centre. Basic demographic and treatment details of the patients were recorded. Routine haematological investigations and biochemical profiles were performed upon admission and follow-up.  AKI was defined and classified based on the RIFLE criteria RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 49.0 ± 19.5 years and female preponderance was observed. The haemoglobin level was significantly lower in AKI patients as compared to non-AKI patients. Meanwhile, there was a significant increase in mean TLC count, CRP, Total bilirubin in AKI patients as compared to non-AKI patients.  was significantly higher  as compared to those without AKI . Increasing age, ICU admission, shock, urinary abnormalities and mechanical ventilation were the factors significantly associated with AKI. CONCLUSION AKI is a frequently reported complication in scrub typhus patients. In evaluating febrile illness associated with AKI, scrub typhus should be considered

Thyroid function test in sickle cell disease: Thyroid function test

Abstract OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the thyroid function (T3, T4, and thyroid stimulating hormone levels) in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD).  METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the general medicine department of the Veer Surendra Sai Medical College and Hospital, Burla, Sambalpur, Odisha (India). The investigation was performed in the sickle cell clinic, medical ward, and outpatient department (OPD) of the institute. This study was conducted from Nov-2019 to Oct-2021. Sixty-eight patients with SCD were enrolled for assessing their thyroid function. The reference ranges for serum T4 (4.5-12 µg/dL), serum T3 (60-200 ng/dL), and thyroid stimulating hormone (0.3-5.5 uIU/mL) were defined to evaluate the thyroid function. RESULTS:  The average thyroid stimulating hormone, mean T4 level, and mean T3 level among the patients were 4.02, 4.67, and 74.15, respectively. The incidence rates of hypothyroidism and euthyroid status were 23.5% and 76.5%, respectively. While 9.59gm/dL was the mean hemoglobin level, 11-16gm/dL was observed in 42.6% of patients compared to <11gm/dL in 57.4% of patients. Patients within the age group of 14-25 years had a higher incidence of hypothyroidism (62.5%). The differences in hypothyroidism between males and females were statistically insignificant (68.8% vs. 31.2%, p=0.11).  CONCLUSION: Patients with SCD had clinically significant reductions in T3 and T4 levels. In addition, higher levels of thyroid stimulating hormone and reductions in endogenous T3/T4 levels were observed in male patients. Overall, SCD was associated with a higher incidence of hypothyroidism. &nbsp

Serum calcium and magnesium levels in acute gastroenteritis

Background: Acute diarrhea endemic in India has a prevalence of 7% which is commonly seen in children and also is a major problem in adults. Acute diarrhea with dehydration culminates in the loss of electrolytes. Not only Na+ K+ but also Ca2+and Mg2+ are also substantially lost and lead to symptoms and adds to morbidity and prolong hospitalization. Methods: In this observational study, a total of 100 cases of acute gastroenteritis admitted to the department of general medicine and infectious disease ward of VIMSAR, Burla, between November 2018 to December 2019 were investigated clinically and biochemically and data were interpreted statistically. Results: Males (56%) were more in number than females (44%), were mostly in the age group of 26-35 years (24%). Hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and hyponatremia were found in 97%, 59%, 49%, 48% of cases respectively. Correlation of Serum Ca2+with (r-value) total episodes of vomiting (-0.536), total episode of stools (-0.880), S. Na+ level (-0.374), S. K+ level (-0.729), with the duration of hospital stay (-0.770) respectively. Correlation of S. Mg2+ levels with (r-value) total episodes of vomiting (-0.475), total episode of stools (-0.498), S. Na+ level (-0.301), S. K+ level (-0.801), duration of hospital stay (-0.699) respectively. The correlations were found to be statistically highly significant (with a p-value is <0.01). Conclusion: Early detection and prompt correction of electrolytes will be beneficial, as it will decrease the duration of hospital stay, morbidity, mortality, thereby, decrease the burden on the health system of the country