Care Hospital In Puducherry Research Articles

Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude of Antenatal Mothers Regarding Physical Activity During Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Puducherry, India

Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude of Antenatal Mothers Regarding Physical Activity During Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Puducherry, India

A Study on relationship between Red Cell Distribution Width and HighDensity Lipoprotein-Cholesterol in patients with Acute coronary syndrome in a tertiary care hospital

Introduction: Acute coronary syndrome is a spectrum of disease consisting of ST segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST segment elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and unstable angina where the blood flow to the heart is decreased. According to WHO, India contributes to one-fifth of the world's deaths due to cardiovascular disease. In recent times, the RDW has been used as a helpful marker in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with acute coronary syndrome. However, the relationship between RDW, HDL-C, and ACS has yet to be identified properly. Aim: To evaluate the association between HDL-C levels and the RDW among patients with ACS and to find its association with the various socio-demographic factors of the patient. Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry between October 2023 and February 2024. Patients aged more than 18 with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome were included in the study. All the patients were subjected to a complete history followed by laboratory investigations, including the RDW, HDL-C, and troponin-I. Results: A total of 62 patients participated in the study. The mean age of the patients with ACS was found to be 55.6 + 3.4 years. The study didn’t show any association between the age (p=0.753), gender (p=0.897), residence (p=0.517), Type-2 DM (p=-.924), hypertension (p=0.615), dyslipidemia (p=0.302), smoking (p=0.565), alcohol (p=0.593), ACS type (p=0.714), Troponin-I (p=0.916), HDL-C (p=0.517) and RBS (p=0.078) with the level of the RDW. However, the study showed a significant association between BMI and RDW levels (p<0.001), and there is a significant and negative correlation was noted between the RDW and HDL-C levels (p=0.038). Conclusion: The study showed a significant and negative correlation between the HDL-C and the RDW among patients with acute coronary syndrome. The study recommends that the RDW be used as an additional marker in predicting the risk of ACS and diagnosing patients with ACS. Keywords: acute coronary syndrome, RDW, HDL-C, demographic factors.

Prevalence of anxiety and depression among cancer patients attending tertiary care hospital in Puducherry – A cross-sectional study

Objectives: Palliative care interventions for cancer patients are usually more effective when they provide them with cues for using the knowledge related to their disease, which helps them adjust and live through the different phases of the illness. The objective of the study is to find the prevalence of anxiety and depression among cancer patients and to assess their quality of life (QOL). Material and Methods: Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 226 oncology patients attending tertiary care hospitals. After obtaining consent, one-to-one interviews were conducted with cancer patients using a standard questionnaire. Depression anxiety stress scale 21 scale and World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) scale were used. Ethical principles were adhered throughout the study. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Results: Out of 226 cancer patients, majority of them 151 (66.8%) were in the age group of 30–59 years and 148 (66.5%) were female. It was found that 62 (27.4%) had stress, 178 (78.8%) had anxiety and 154 (68.1%) were in depression. The mean raw score in overall QOL is 3.27 ± 0.94 standard deviation (SD) and in general health is 3.46 ± 0.81) (SD). Marital status (P = 0.001) and duration since the diagnosis of cancer (P = 0.005) had significant association with the environmental domain of the QOL of patients. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the need for palliative care for psychosocial support to cancer patient to improve their QOL. Comprehensive management for cancer patients by providing family support and a patient-friendly environment is needed.

Performance of WHO-Updated Cardiovascular Disease Risk Prediction Charts among Doctors: Findings from a Tertiary Care Teaching Center in Puducherry, India.

The cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction charts, updated by the World Health Organization for 21 regions in 2019. These charts-lab and non-lab versions-estimate a person's overall CVD risk; the non-lab version is intended for low-resource environments. Using the "non-lab" and "lab" versions of the WHO CVD risk prediction charts, we sought to estimate the burden of ten-year risk of a fatal or non-fatal CVD event in a tertiary care hospital of Puducherry and to assess the agreement between them. We included 255 doctors working in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry. Age, gender, systolic blood pressure, and smoking status are all factors used in both charts. Moreover, a lab chart requires a person's total cholesterol and diabetes mellitus status, whereas a non-lab chart requires a person's body mass index. Proportions (95% confidence intervals) were used to portray the population at various CVD risk levels. Using Cohen's Kappa, the degree of agreement between the lab and non-lab charts was assessed (k). The majority of the study participants had <5% risk of CVD, and none had a risk of >20% in both the charts, which shows the better health-seeking behaviour of doctors. A good level of agreement was shown by the 95.2% (95%CI = 91.7 - 97.4 ) concordance in the risk categorization between the two charts (k = 0.934). When data are available and there is strong agreement between non-lab and lab-based charts, it is practical to apply WHO-updated CVD risk prediction charts.

Prevalence of Migraine Headache among Patients with Allergic Rhinitis in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Puducherry.

Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common and undertreated diseases in the world. In recent times, there has been increased development of non-sinus headaches among patients with allergic rhinitis. Various common endogenous molecules such as nitric oxide, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and histamine have been implicated in the development of migraines, which leads to the development of migraines among allergic rhinitis patients. The study aims to determine the prevalence of migraine among allergic rhinitis patients and to find the association between the various demographic factors and the presence of migraine. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the ENT department of a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry. All patients aged more than 18 years old with the symptoms of allergic rhinitis were included in the study. The study was conducted six months, from July 2023 to December 2023. ARIA classification is used to determine the severity of the allergic rhinitis, and, per International criteria for headache, was used to diagnose migraine. A total of 282 patients with allergic rhinitis participated in the study. The mean age of the patients was found to be 38.89 ± 11.04 years. The prevalence of migraine among allergic rhinitis patients was found to be 69.1%-Economic status (39.4%). About 16.7% of the patients with diabetes were associated with migraine. The study showed a significant association between sex (p-0.006), age (p < 0.001), and socio-economic status (p-0.034) with the presence of migraine. The study also showed a significant association between the severity of allergic rhinitis and the presence of migraine (p-0.034) and the type of migraine (p-0.004). The study concludes that a significant proportion of the patients with allergic rhinitis were associated with migraine. So, clinicians should always screen for the presence of the migraine in all patients with allergic rhinitis to improve the patient's quality of life.

Effectiveness of Radial Artery Positioning Board (RAPB) on Radial Artery Access and Prevention of Access Site Complications among Patients Admitted in Critical Care Units at Tertiary Care Hospital, Puducherry

Background: Radial artery access is a fundamental procedure in critical care settings, yet achieving optimal wrist extension poses challenges. This study investigates the efficacy of a novel intervention, the radial artery positioning board (RAPB), in enhancing radial artery access success rates and preventing access site complications among critically ill patients.  Methods: Employing a randomized controlled trial with a two-group post-tests only control design, 160 patients were enrolled using a block random sampling method. The study, conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, utilized both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses to assess the outcomes.  Results: Analysis revealed a significant improvement in the success rates of radial artery access (z = -11.125, p &lt; 0.05) and a notable reduction in access site complications (z = 7.938, p &lt; 0.05) in the RAPB group compared to the control group. Furthermore, a positive correlation was established between successful radial artery access using RAPB and the prevention of access site complications (r = 0.504, p &lt; 0.05).  Conclusion: The findings underscore the effectiveness of RAPB in facilitating early radial artery access with heightened success rates and diminished access site complications among critically ill patients. Additionally, body mass index and comorbidities exhibited statistically significant associations with radial artery access (p &lt; 0.05), emphasizing the need for tailored interventions in this population.

Procrastination as a Marker of Anxiety Disorder Among College Students: An Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study From Puducherry, India.

Background and objective Procrastination, which refers to the act of unnecessarily delaying the beginning or completion of an assigned task, is a widespread but often neglected problem among college students. Postponing a task can impair academic performance or lead to stress and poor mental well-being. A knowledge gap exists in understanding the cyclical nature of the relationship between anxiety and procrastination, wherein anxiety leads to procrastination, which in turn exacerbates anxiety. In light of this, we aimed to assess the level of procrastination and anxiety among college students and to correlate the relationship between their procrastination and anxiety status. Methodology A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 347 graduate students from various disciplines at a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, India. A convenient sampling technique was employed to recruit the participants, and data were collected using the validated Procrastination Assessment Scale for Students (PASS) and the Hamilton AnxietyRating Scale (HAM-A). Results Our findings showed that about 124 (35.7%) participants reported weekly reading assignments as the most frequently procrastinated task, with a mean score of 3.15 ± 1.02, followed by studying for exams and writing term papers. The most commonly reported reason for procrastination was evaluation anxiety, followed by low self-esteem and perfectionism. A significant number of students (157, 45.2%) had mild anxiety, and 58 (16.7%) students were found to have severe anxiety. A Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.26 (95% CI: 0.16 - 0.36) was observed between the overall procrastination score and HAM-A score, which indicated a weak positive correlation and was statistically significant (p<0.05). Similarly, a weak positive correlation was found between task aversiveness, fear of failure, and anxiety levels. Conclusions Procrastination is positively related to anxiety but the relationship is weak. Understanding and addressing the underlying anxiety or stress can be a key to managing procrastination among college students.

A Study on Suicidal Intent, Quality of Life, Medical and Psychiatric Comorbidity in Cancer Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Puducherry

Background- Cancer is now widely recognised as a new epidemic globally which accounts for nearly 10 million deaths in year 2020. Aims and Objectives-The aim of the study was to estimate suicidal ideation among cancer patients and to evaluate the association between suicidal intent with the quality of life, medical and psychiatric comorbidities. Methods-The study group included 70 cancer patients who were surgically treated in the Department of Surgical Oncology in a tertiary care hospital in South India. The sample size was calculated using Open Epi Version 3.0. Sampling was done using consecutive sampling method. The study was conducted from March 2021 to September 2022. A socio-demographic information form, HADS (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale), Beck Suicide Intent Scale and WHO-QOL BREF (WHO Quality of Life BREF) were used. Results- In our study 12.9% reported having attempted suicide in the recent past, 18.6% scored abnormal on anxiety scale and 40% scored depression level on HADS. Conclusions- Cancer patients are at increased risk of developing many psychiatric illnesses including anxiety, depression and suicidal attempts. The QOL of cancer patients are affected by these psychiatric comorbidities. Timely assessment and intervention can improve their QOL and also reduce the risks of suicide. There is a significant correlation between anxiety, depression and suicide attempt. Keywords: Suicide, Anxiety, Quality of Life, Cancer .

Assessment of Knowledge on Dietary Management of Chronic Kidney Disease Among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis at a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study.

Background This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to assess the level of knowledge on dietary management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among patients undergoing hemodialysis in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, South India. Methodology The study was conducted among 86 inpatients diagnosed with CKD and undergoing hemodialysis in the dialysis unit. They were selected by simple random sampling. The self-administered, validated, self-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The study was conducted from May to September 2019. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (chi-square) were used to find out the relationship between the level of knowledge and background variables using IBMSPSSStatistics for Windows, Version 25.0 (Released 2017; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Results The findings indicated that the majority of patients were in the 20-30 age range (36, 41.9%), male (58, 67.4%), from nuclear families (58, 66.3%), with mixed dietary habits (60, 69.8%), and undergoing thrice-weekly hemodialysis (34, 53.5%). Additionally, 59 (68.6%) were hypertensiveand 14 (16.3%) were diabetic. Most patients exhibited a moderate level of knowledge (74, 86%), while a small percentage had inadequate (6, 7%) and adequate (6, 7%) knowledge, with a mean (SD) value of 2.00 (0.376). The study identified statistically significant associations between knowledge levels and age, occupation, food habits, duration of dialysis, pre-existing co-morbid illnesses, and treatment of hemodialysis with a p-value <0.05. Conclusions In conclusion, this study highlights that the majority of the CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis exhibit moderately adequate knowledge of dietary management. However, a notable need remains for further education and support in this area. Addressing these knowledge gaps is crucial, as it can empower nursing students and healthcare professionals to educate these patients on their dietary needs effectively. By providing comprehensive education and support, we can enhance the quality of care and improve outcomes for hemodialysis patients.

A cross-sectional study of the factors influencing adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adults with human immunodeficiency virus infection in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, India.

Combating human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic has been possible due to advances in prevention strategies and Antiretroviral therapy (ART). Optimal adherence to ART is a major factor in achieving the desired immunological, virological, and patient well-being outcomes. Several socio-demographic, patient, treatment, and health-care system-related factors influence nonadherent behavior to ART. This study was planned to assess (1) ART adherence level, (2) factors and reasons associated with nonadherence, and (3) impact of suboptimal adherence on treatment outcomes. This was a cross-sectional analytical study of 300 patients in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, India. Random sampling was used to collect data from patient treatment cards and a predesigned structured questionnaire. The pill count method was used to calculate adherence level. Nonadherence was chosen as a dependent variable and factors affecting adherence were chosen as independent variables. Test for significance was carried out by Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. Optimal adherence was seen in 68.3%. Factors significantly associated with nonadherence were lower education level, high prior CD4 count, irregular follow-up, missing doses in the past, and being late for pharmacy pill refills. Adherence was positively associated with mean increase in CD4 count over 6 months. In our study, the adherence rate is suboptimal which can lead to failure of ART. Nonadherence was associated with a decrease in CD4 count overtime. Most of the factors significantly affecting ART adherence were patient behavior related. These factors can be used for target intervention during reinforcement adherence counseling.

Prevalence of Hypervirulent rmpA and magA Genes in Clinical Isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and their association with Drug Resistant Pattern: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) has emerged as a pathogen of global concern that is hypermucoviscous, causing infections and rapidly acquiring Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). HvKp is more virulent than classical K. pneumoniae (cKp) and frequently infects healthy individuals with community-acquired illnesses. Since hvKp commonly exists in the gastrointestinal tract, its communicable spread affects the general public and healthcare facilities. The study was necessary due to the rapid evolution of hvKp, the need to identify novel, reliable agents of hypervirulence and drug resistance, and more reliable targets for therapeutic intervention. Aim: To investigate the prevalence of hvKp strains (rmpA and magA genes) and drug-resistant patterns in clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, India. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study included a total of 100 non duplicate consecutive isolates of K. pneumoniae collected from Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute and Hospital, Puducherry, India. These isolates were recovered from various clinical specimens such as urine, sputum, pus, blood, and other miscellaneous specimens mainly obtained from both outpatients and inpatients between August 2021 and April 2022. The antibiotic susceptibility of cultured K. pneumoniae was determined by the disk-diffusion test following the 2020 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. The rmpA and magA genes were detected using conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). PCR products were sequenced using Sanger sequencing. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) statistics software for Windows, version 15.0 (available from SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA). A p-value &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 100 isolates were studied for phenotypic and genotypic properties. HvKp was identified phenotypically using the string test, and further, the rmpA and magA genes were identified genotypically using PCR. Out of 100 isolates, the phenotypic study showed 11 (11%) isolates as string test positive. Furthermore, genotypic results showed that 22 (22%) isolates expressed the rmpA gene, 11 (11%) isolates expressed the magA gene, and 7 (7%) isolates expressed both rmpA and magA. Most of the hvKp isolates were obtained from urine specimens of K. pneumoniae isolates and showed more resistance than cKp towards all classes of antibiotics. Conclusion: The high prevalence of rmpA and magA genes suggests their strong role and capability as genetic markers for the identification of hvKp in the laboratory. This study indicated the important role of genetic elements in the emergence of drug resistance in hypervirulent strains and showed that hvKp has a multidrug resistance pattern.

Effect of iron folic acid with tablet vitamin C compared to iron folic acid with routine verbal advice of vitamin C rich foods on the hemoglobin levels of anemic pregnant women attending a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry: protocol for a pragmatic trial

Background: In routine practice, pregnant women are advised to take iron folic acid (IFA) tablets with vitamin C-rich foods. If vitamin C tablets are given instead, there may be an improvement in the hemoglobin levels of pregnant women. The study aims to find the effectiveness of IFA tablet with vitamin C tablet compared to IFA tablet with verbal advice of vitamin C rich foods, over 6 weeks, on the hemoglobin levels of anemic pregnant women (13-33 weeks) attending a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry. Methods: A pragmatic trial will be conducted in the antenatal OPD of a hospital in Puducherry. Anemic pregnant women will be consecutively recruited until a sample size of 86 is attained. Permuted block randomization and allocation concealment will be used. After eligibility assessment, participants will be randomly assigned two arms. The intervention arm will receive IFA tablets with vitamin C tablets, while the control arm will be advised to take IFA tablets with vitamin C-rich food. Participants will be followed up at 6 weeks. The intention-to-treat approach will be used. Linear regression will be performed followed by multivariable linear regression to adjust for confounding variables. Conclusions: This study protocol is designed to investigate whether the hemoglobin status and control of anemia in anemic mothers can be improved by giving IFA tablets with vitamin C tablets in routine practice, rather than verbal advice to take IFA tablets with vitamin C-rich foods.

A descriptive cross-sectional study on perceived barriers and facilitators regarding the use of menstrual cups among medical students in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry

Introduction: Adolescence is the period between 10 and 19 years of life, and about one-fifth of the total female population in the world are in this age group who undergo the basic physiological phenomenon called menstruation. The issues related to menstruation are often neglected by family and community which affects the physical, mental and social functioning of the teenagers. By adopting sustainable menstrual hygienic practices, the major disorder of sexual and reproductive health. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of the usage of menstrual cups among medical students, to assess the knowledge and practice about menstrual cup and to determine the barriers and facilitators regarding the use of menstrual cup. Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among the female medical students of Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry. The study tool was a Google Form comprising the sociodemographic details of the study participants and the details regarding the usage of menstrual products, especially menstrual cups. This study followed the universal sampling method, and a total of 164 students responded. The responses were downloaded from Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: Out of the total 164 study participants, 53% belonged to the age group of 18–22 years, 46% were in the age group of 23–27 years, and 1% were above the age of 27 years. Of these, 20% were 1st year, 16% were 2nd year, 21% were 3rd year, 29% were 4th year, and 14% were interns. The knowledge prevalence of menstrual cups was 78%. The prevalence of the usage of menstrual cups was 85%. Conclusion: Hence, much insight has to be tailored to the advancement in knowledge dissemination regarding sexual and reproductive health. The practice of safe, durable, and sustainable menstrual hygienic products such as menstrual cup has to be encouraged as they are cost effective and generate less waste. All menstruating women should be educated about menstrual cups and should be encouraged to use it.

PRESCRIBING PATTERN OF DRUGS IN OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Aim: The study was conducted to assess the prescribing behaviour for antimicrobials and various groups of drugs in tertiary care hospital in Puducherry. Prescription audit was done. Total 500 presc Method: riptions were analysed for sex wise distribution, no of patients for specic age group, antimicrobials prescribed in generic name, percentage of antibiotics, antacids, NSAIDs and multivitamins, among the prescribed drugs, groups of antibiotics, drugs prescribed from National List of Essential Medicines (2022), use ofxed drug combinations, injectable preparations if any. Results: Demographic analysis showed that out of 500 patients in OPD, most were female (53%) and in the age group between 41 to 60 years. In 500 number of prescriptions,9.96% of antibiotics were prescribed; uoroquinolones (5.42%) were prescribed more from antibiotics followed by extended spectrum penicillin (1.64%). 14.78%of antacids were prescribed; PPIs (11.28%) were prescribed more from antacids. 21.63% of NSAIDs were prescribed.11.66% were prescribed in generic names, 65.44% drugs were prescribed from National List of Essential Medicines (2022), 15.88% of FDCs were prescribed,6.13% of injectable preparations were prescribed. The rational use of antimicrobial agents is one of the main contribut Conclusion: ors to control worldwide emergence of bacterial resistance, side effects and reduced cost of the treatment

Dengue and typhoid co-infection: a case report from a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry

Acute undifferentiated febrile illness is the most common presenting symptom in both adults and children during the monsoon. Incidence of both vector- and water-borne diseases are highest during these seasons, co-infections of dengue with typhoid, malaria, leptospirosis, scrub typhus and other arboviruses can occur in endemic areas. We report the case of a 3-year-old child who presented with dengue and typhoid fever coinfection and subsequently recovered. In every febrile patients’ common infections should be evaluated with through history, clinical examinations and logical investigations. If not treated early, dengue and typhoid together, may lead to multi-organ involvement with significant morbidity and mortality.

Medication Adherence using Medication Possession Ratio and Proportion of Days Covered among Elderly Diabetic Patients Visiting a Tertiary Care Hospital in Puducherry

Background: Patient adherence to treatment is crucial for successful therapy while treating chronic conditions like diabetes mellitus. Medication possession ratio (MPR) and proportion of Days Covered (PDC) are the most common measures of medication adherence using refill records. Methods: A prospective hospital-based longitudinal study was carried out among elderly patients, both males and females on oral hypoglycaemic medication from May-August 2019 in the Department of General Medicine in Puducherry. MPR was calculated as the sum of the days' supply for all fills of a given drug in a particular period divided by the number of days in the period while PDC was calculated as the number of days the drug supplied during the study period divided by the number of days in the study period. MPR and PDC ≥ 80% was considered as adherence to medication. Results: In our study, 80% of elderly diabetic patients were adherent to medication according to medication possession ratio (MPR), while adherence according to the proportion of days covered was much lesser and was only 64.4%. We found a significant association between medication adherence in elderly diabetic patient’s factors such as monthly family income, literacy, and presence of a caretaker while there was no association between medication adherence in elderly diabetic patients upon the age of the patient, number of drugs prescribed and monthly cost of the medicines. Conclusion: Medication adherence in elderly diabetic patients mainly depends on many factors such as monthly family income, literacy and presence of the caretaker and not depending upon the age of the patient, number of drugs prescribed and monthly cost of the medicines. Larger studies are necessary to realize the proper impact of nonadherence on this group of the population

Genotype Distribution and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Clinical Isolates of Group B Streptococcus in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Puducherry, South India.

Streptococcus agalactiae apart from being a colonizer in the genital region is also associated with several other invasive infections in all age groups. With the varied distribution of serotypes across different regions of the world, universal vaccination is also unattainable. However, in India, the knowledge of group B Streptococcus (GBS) genotype distribution is deficient. Thus, this study was initiated to add data on this aspect. Methodology. A cross-sectional study was conducted using isolates of group B Streptococcus from all clinical specimens. Along with that, the clinical specimen type and the antibiotic resistance profile of the isolates were correlated with the genotypes recognized through a multiplex PCR assay. Among the 86 isolates subjected to multiplex PCR for genotype identification, five genotypes were identified with genotype Ib as the predominant one (34.9%), followed by III (20.9%), II (16.3%), Ia (12.7%), and V (11.6%). The results demonstrated a correlation of types Ib and III with vaginal colonization and type II with urine specimens in the current study. This preliminary study exhibited the distribution of common genotypes and their antibiotic resistance profiles in various GBS isolates. However, multiple studies across the country with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.

Profile of non-communicable Disease Risk Factors Among Nurses in a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India

The work nature of nurses and the associated lifestyle changes put them at high risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of NCD risk factors among nurses working in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry and to determine the associated factors among nurses. We conducted a cross-sectional study among all nurses (N=1217) in the tertiary care hospital aged between 21 and 60 from May 2019 to April 2020. We assessed NCDs behavioral, physical and biochemical risk factors using a self-administered questionnaire. The adjusted prevalence ratio was calculated using a generalized linear regression model to determine factors associated with NCD risk factors. The response rate was 99% (1217/1229), and 77.5 % of the participants were women. Current tobacco use, and alcohol consumption were 1.5% (95% CI: 0.8-2.2) and 2.9% (95% CI: 2-3.9) respectively with significantly higher prevalence among men. Overweight or Obesity (BMI >23 kg/m2) was 77.7%, with a significantly higher prevalence among those aged ≥30 and married. Prevalence of hypertension was 14.4 % (95% CI: 12.5-16.4), and diabetes mellitus was 11.5 % (95% CI: 9.7-13.6) were significantly higher among those aged ≥50 years. One-third of nurses, 34.3% (95% CI: 31.6-37.1), had hypercholesterolemia, significantly higher among men. We found a high prevalence of various NCD risk factors among the nurses. We highlight the urgent need for initiating health promotion interventions, especially to improve intake of healthy diet and physical activity among nurses aged ≥30 years.

Primary hyperparathyroidism presenting as acute pancreatitis: An institutional experience with review of the literature.

BACKGROUNDAcute pancreatitis (AP) presenting as an initial manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is uncommon, and its timely diagnosis is crucial in preventing recurrent attacks of pancreatitis.AIMTo determine the clinical, biochemical, and radiological profile of PHPT patients presenting as AP.METHODSThis is a retrospective observational study, 51 consecutive patients admitted with the diagnosis of PHPT during January 2010 and October 2021 at a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, India was included. The diagnosis of AP was established in the presence of at least two of the three following features: abdominal pain, levels of serum amylase or lipase greater than three times the normal, and characteristic features at abdominal imaging.RESULTSOut of the 51 consecutive patients with PHPT, twelve (23.52%) had pancreatitis [5 (9.80%) AP, seven (13.72%) chronic pancreatitis (CP)]. PHPT with AP (PHPT-AP) was more common among males with the presentation at a younger age (35.20 ± 16.11 vs 49.23 ± 14.80 years, P = 0.05) and lower plasma intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels [125 (80.55-178.65) vs 519.80 (149-1649.55, P = 0.01)] compared to PHPT without pancreatitis (PHPT-NP). The mean serum calcium levels were similar in both PHPT-AP and PHPT-NP groups [(11.66 ± 1.15 mg/dL) vs (12.46 ± 1.71 mg/dL), P = 0.32]. PHPT-AP also presented with more gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting with lesser skeletal and renal manifestations as compared to patients with PHPT-NP.CONCLUSIONAP can be the only presenting feature of PHPT. Normal or higher serum calcium levels during AP should always draw attention towards endocrine causes like PHPT.

A descriptive study of complications following vaginal surgeries for genital prolapse

Background: Pelvic organ prolapse is the descent of the pelvic organs into the vagina accompanied by urinary, bowel, and sexual. Many types of surgeries are done to fix the organ prolapse. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to study the intra-operative and immediate post-operative complications in patients undergoing surgery for genital prolapse. The study also aims to follow the patients for a period of 1 year evaluate the possible morbidity during the period and also assess the factors which contribute to this morbidity. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry among 121 patients who were admitted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology for genital prolapse. It was intended to study the intraoperative, early post-operative, and long-term complications among these patients who underwent vaginal surgeries for genital prolapse. Results: Ward Mayo’s operation was done in the age group of 45–50 years and Manchester repair was done in the age group of 30–35 years. Patients who underwent Ward Mayo’s procedure had a parity of 3.5. Nearly 25% of patients had a parity of 25. There was a significant difference in operating time when surgeries were done by consultants when compared to senior residents (P=0.002) but there was no significant difference in blood loss (P=0.070). A significant increase in blood loss and operating time was noted when vaginal hysterectomy was combined with both anterior and posterior repair. In cases of complications, it was prolonged. Backache (4.95%, 4.13%, and 4.13) and psychological problems (4.13%. 6.61%, and 6.61%) after 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year, respectively, were common long-term complications that could be attributed to decreased awareness among our women. Conclusion: It is concluded from the study that vaginal surgeries for genital prolapse have lesser complications both intra-operatively and during the post-operative period. The patient’s characteristics such as age, parity, other illnesses, and surgical details such as choice of the operation, experience of the surgeon, additional procedures performed, blood loss, and antibiotic usage influence the morbidities associated with the surgery.