High sensitive C reactive protein as an inflammatory indicator in preeclampsia

Background: Preeclampsia is one of the most serious complications of pregnancy and one of the leading cause of maternal, prenatal morbidity and mortality. The present study was carried out to estimate serum high sensitive C- reactive protein in both mild and severe preeclampsia as an indicator of inflammation and to correlate Hs-CRP with blood pressure.Methods: A case control study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MIMER Medical College and Bhausaheb Sardesai Rural Hospital Talegaon Dabhade, Pune. The study group include 50 cases of normal pregnant women, 43 clinically diagnosed cases of mild preeclampsia and 7 cases of severe preeclampsia in second and third trimester of pregnancy. 2 ml venous blood samples was collected from all the study participants for estimation of Hs-CRP by ultra-sensitive immunoturbidometric assay spin react method.Results: There was significant increase in the mean serum Hs-CRP levels in normal pregnant women and mild preeclamptic women (p<0.001). Serum Hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in severe preeclamspia than mild preeclamptic women (p<0.001). The degree of inflammation increases as HsCRP rises. Hence, present study shows that HsCRP levels increases as disease progresses from mild to severe condition. Significant positive correlations was found between Hs-CRP and Blood Pressure in preeclampsia.Conclusions: In preeclampsia there is an exaggeration of systemic inflammatory response that might induce reactive oxygen species which further induces endothelial dysfunction. This leads to clinical symptoms of hypertension and proteinuria in preeclampsia. Early detection might minimise systemic complications and maternal death due to preeclampsia. Hence, HsCRP may be used as an important indicator of severity of preeclampsia

Serum high sensitivity C reactive protein and lipid profile in obese students

Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is progressively increasing in younger and adult population in India. It is a medical problem that increases risk of other diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers. One of the causes of dyslipidaemia is obesity. High sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), is a marker of systemic inflammation and a predictor of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Hence it is important to check the relationship of hs-CRP with lipid profiles in obese and non-obese students.Methods: A case control observational study was carried out in 60 students. They were divided in to two groups obese and non-obese based on the BMI ranges. Serum lipid levels, hs-CRP and BMI was estimated in both groups to find out correlation of hs-CRP with lipid profile and BMI.Results: There was a significant rise in serum Total Cholesterol, LDL-C, Triacylglycerol and a significant fall in HDL-C in obese group as compared to non-obese group. Serum hs-CRP and BMI was significantly increased in obese students as compared to non-obese students. There was statistically significant positive correlation found between hs-CRP and total cholesterol, LDL-C, Triacylglycerol in obese students.Conclusions: Significant correlation was found between hs-CRP and lipid profile except HDL-C. Serum hs-CRP levels may decrease by treatment of dyslipidaemia. This would minimize the incidence of atherosclerosis and hence decrease the risk for development of coronary artery disease. Hence, improving the quality of life

CORRELATION OF PROLACTIN LEVELS WITH THYROID HORMONE LEVELS IN THYROID DISORDERS, INFERTILITY AND MENSTRUAL DISORDERS

Introduction: Prolactin and Thyroid hormones are regulated through an interrelated pathway. The increased level of TRH in hypothyroidism stimulates the release of prolactin. Prolactin and thyroid disorders are associated in a variety of conditions. Aims: To find if any correlation exists between Prolactin and Thyroid hormone levels in thyroid disorders. Methods: It was an observational, retrospective study. Serum levels of T3, T4, TSH and Prolactin were estimated by ELISA kits. The data was collected from registers and analyzed for correlation. Results: A significant proportion of hyperprolactinemia cases are Euthyroid. Hyperprolactinemia is associated with both hypothyroidism as well as hyperthyroidism. It is more prevalent in hypothyroid cases. Prolactin has a positive correlation with TSH in both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Conclusion: Prolactin has a positive correlation with TSH in both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Both prolactin and thyroid hormone levels should be estimated in cases of infertility, menstrual disturbances and thyroid disorders. Keywords: Hyperprolactinemia; Hyperthyroidism; Hypothyroidism

CORRELATION OF PROLACTIN LEVELS WITH THYROID HORMONE LEVELS IN THYROID DISORDERS, INFERTILITY AND MENSTRUAL DISORDERS

Introduction: Prolactin and Thyroid hormones are regulated through an interrelated pathway. The increased level of TRH in hypothyroidism stimulates the release of prolactin. Prolactin and thyroid disorders are associated in a variety of conditions. Aims: To find if any correlation exists between Prolactin and Thyroid hormone levels in thyroid disorders. Methods: It was an observational, retrospective study. Serum levels of T3, T4, TSH and Prolactin were estimated by ELISA kits. The data was collected from registers and analyzed for correlation. Results: A significant proportion of hyperprolactinemia cases are Euthyroid. Hyperprolactinemia is associated with both hypothyroidism as well as hyperthyroidism. It is more prevalent in hypothyroid cases. Prolactin has a positive correlation with TSH in both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Conclusion: Prolactin has a positive correlation with TSH in both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Both prolactin and thyroid hormone levels should be estimated in cases of infertility, menstrual disturbances and thyroid disorders. Keywords: Hyperprolactinemia; Hyperthyroidism; Hypothyroidism

Effectiveness of planned health education on knowledge of nurses working at tertiary care hospital regarding early detection of cancer cervix Karad, Western Maharashtra, India

Background: Cervical cancer is a major and devastating cause of mortality worldwide with an estimated global incidence of 5 lakhs new cases and 2.7 lakhs deaths annually among women. The objective of this study was to assess the existing level of knowledge and to determine the effectiveness of planned health education among the nurses regarding early detection and prevention of ca cervix.Methods: Evaluative approach with Quasi experimental one group pre-test-post-test design was used.168 sample were selected with simple random sampling technique, who those are working in tertiary care hospital, Karad. A pre-test given related to cervical cancer questionnaires followed by planned health education imparted for the duration of 45 minutes. Post-test using the same questionnaire were conducted after 7 days.Results: The study results showed that, the planned health education was effective in increasing the knowledge at the level of P <0.001.Conclusions: It is seen that training of nurses less than 30 years, even with lesser experience lesser than 5 years and with unmarried status benefited most. In service education training at the time of induction program and also frequently to refresh to sensitize the nurses with updating knowledge is recommended so that they can motivate the symptomatic and asymptomatic women who those are attending hospital as an outdoor patient or coming with the indoor patient as caretakers

CORRELATION OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF MOTHER AND THE BIRTH WEIGHT OF THE BABY

Objective: The objective of this study is to correlate mother's nutritional status during pregnancy and determine the birth weight of the baby.Methods: A comparative, exploratory approach and prospective cohort study design was used to find out mothers' nutritional status during pregnancy influences the birth weight of babies. The data were collected using structured interview schedule and dietary history by 24 h recall method from a randomly selected sample of 380 eligible mothers delivered at Krishna Hospital, Karad.Results: There was a significant correlation between birth weight and calorie intake (correlation coefficient [r]=0.595; p&lt;0.001; Chi-square=201.3; p&lt;0.001.) A higher proportion of low birth weight babies, i.e., 105 (32.2%) were delivered by the mothers consuming &lt;70% of protein ([r]=0.245; p&lt;0.001; χ2=24.033; p&lt;0.001]). There was correlation between birth weight and calcium intake of mothers ([r]=0.525; p&lt;0.001; χ2=10.12; p&lt;0.001] birth†weight and iron intake of mothers ([r]=0.250; p&lt;0.001; χ2=13.798; p&lt;0.001).Conclusion: The intake of calorie, protein, calcium, and iron of mother can significantly influence the weight of the newborn baby. Among all anthropometric parameters of the mother, weight gain was the strongest predictor of adequacy of the birth weight

Awareness of COVID-19 outbreak in local population of Maval taluka in Maharashtra, India

Background: There is a growing fear and perceived threat about coronavirus among local population. The population, inclusive of all age groups is making use of available media such as internet, social media, newspapers and television to make themselves aware. There is no authenticity and information may be wrong. Since, corona has become major cause of concern, present study was carried out to bring the awareness and educate them about coronavirus among the local population.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on COVID-19 by using online Google based questionnaire in Maval area to assess the knowledge and awareness about corona virus among the 125 local participants. The questionnaire consisted of 10 validated peer reviewed questions covering various aspects of COVID-19 awareness were voluntarily filled by participants. Data was analysed in Microsoft Excel 2010.Results: Present findings revealed that 94% participants knew that COVID-19 is caused by the corona was first detected in Wuhan China and the first case of the same was reported in Kerala was known to 60% respondents. The virus remains on the surface of mobiles was known to 11% participants.76.8% participants apprised 2-14 days being the incubation period of the virus. Patients with two or more comorbidities can develop severe COVID-19 was known to 46.6% participants. Only 5% participants knew the difference between swine flu and corona virus. Nearly 89% participants knew soap is the best material for cleaning in the presence of dirt and about 51% participants knew the need of isolating persons with known COVID- 19 infection.Conclusions: Correct answers with scientific explanation were posted to the participants in the form of instantaneous feedback. Hence knowledge gained was increased by the participants. Their misconceptions were removed. More awareness can be brought & propagation of COVID-19 infection can be prevented even after lockdown period

Psychosocial interventions for supporting women to stop smoking in pregnancy

Background: Tobacco smoking remains one of the few preventable factors associated with complications in pregnancy, and has serious long-term implications for women and babies. Smoking in pregnancy is decreasing in high-income countries, but is strongly associated with poverty and is increasing in low- to middle-income countries. Objectives: To assess the effects of smoking cessation interventions during pregnancy on smoking behaviour and perinatal health outcomes. Search methods: In this sixth update, we searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (13 November 2015), checked reference lists of retrieved studies and contacted trial authors. Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials, cluster-randomised trials, and quasi-randomised controlled trials of psychosocial smoking cessation interventions during pregnancy. Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and trial quality, and extracted data. Direct comparisons were conducted in RevMan, with meta-regression conducted in STATA 14. Main results: The overall quality of evidence was moderate to high, with reductions in confidence due to imprecision and heterogeneity for some outcomes. One hundred and two trials with 120 intervention arms (studies) were included, with 88 trials (involving over 28,000 women) providing data on smoking abstinence in late pregnancy. Interventions were categorised as counselling, health education, feedback, incentives, social support, exercise and dissemination. In separate comparisons, there is high-quality evidence that counselling increased smoking cessation in late pregnancy compared with usual care (30 studies; average risk ratio (RR) 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19 to 1.73) and less intensive interventions (18 studies; average RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.47). There was uncertainty whether counselling increased the chance of smoking cessation when provided as one component of a broader maternal health intervention or comparing one type of counselling with another. In studies comparing counselling and usual care (largest comparison), it was unclear whether interventions prevented smoking relapse among women who had stopped smoking spontaneously in early pregnancy. However, a clear effect was seen in smoking abstinence at zero to five months postpartum (11 studies; average RR 1.59, 95% CI 1.26 to 2.01) and 12 to 17 months (two studies, average RR 2.20, 95% CI 1.23 to 3.96), with a borderline effect at six to 11 months (six studies; average RR 1.33, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.77). In other comparisons, the effect was unclear for most secondary outcomes, but sample sizes were small. Evidence suggests a borderline effect of health education compared with usual care (five studies; average RR 1.59, 95% CI 0.99 to 2.55), but the quality was downgraded to moderate as the effect was unclear when compared with less intensive interventions (four studies; average RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.70), alternative interventions (one study; RR 1.88, 95% CI 0.19 to 18.60), or when smoking cessation health education was provided as one component of a broader maternal health intervention. There was evidence feedback increased smoking cessation when compared with usual care and provided in conjunction with other strategies, such as counselling (average RR 4.39, 95% CI 1.89 to 10.21), but the confidence in the quality of evidence was downgraded to moderate as this was based on only two studies and the effect was uncertain when feedback was compared to less intensive interventions (three studies; average RR 1.29, 95% CI 0.75 to 2.20). High-quality evidence suggests incentive-based interventions are effective when compared with an alternative (non-contingent incentive) intervention (four studies; RR 2.36, 95% CI 1.36 to 4.09). However pooled effects were not calculable for comparisons with usual care or less intensive interventions (substantial heterogeneity, I2 = 93%). High-quality evidence suggests the effect is unclear in social support interventions provided by peers (six studies; average RR 1.42, 95% CI 0.98 to 2.07), in a single trial of support provided by partners, or when social support for smoking cessation was provided as part of a broader intervention to improve maternal health. The effect was unclear in single interventions of exercise compared to usual care (RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.72 to 2.01) and dissemination of counselling (RR 1.63, 95% CI 0.62 to 4.32). Importantly, high-quality evidence from pooled results demonstrated that women who received psychosocial interventions had a 17% reduction in infants born with low birthweight, a significantly higher mean birthweight (mean difference (MD) 55.60 g, 95% CI 29.82 to 81.38 g higher) and a 22% reduction in neonatal intensive care admissions. However the difference in preterm births and stillbirths was unclear. There did not appear to be adverse psychological effects from the interventions. The intensity of support women received in both the intervention and comparison groups has increased over time, with higher-intensity interventions more likely to have higher-intensity comparisons, potentially explaining why no clear differences were seen with increasing intervention intensity in meta-regression analyses. Among meta-regression analyses: studies classified as having 'unclear' implementation and unequal baseline characteristics were less effective than other studies. There was no clear difference between trials implemented by researchers (efficacy studies), and those implemented by routine pregnancy staff (effectiveness studies), however there was uncertainty in the effectiveness of counselling in four dissemination trials where the focus on the intervention was at an organisational level. The pooled effects were similar in interventions provided for women classified as having predominantly low socio-economic status, compared to other women. The effect was significant in interventions among women from ethnic minority groups; however not among indigenous women. There were similar effect sizes in trials with biochemically validated smoking abstinence and those with self-reported abstinence. It was unclear whether incorporating use of self-help manuals or telephone support increased the effectiveness of interventions. Authors' conclusions: Psychosocial interventions to support women to stop smoking in pregnancy can increase the proportion of women who stop smoking in late pregnancy and the proportion of infants born low birthweight. Counselling, feedback and incentives appear to be effective, however the characteristics and context of the interventions should be carefully considered. The effect of health education and social support is less clear. New trials have been published during the preparation of this review and will be included in the next update