Hospital-based Study Research Articles

Bioelectrical impedance analysis predicts prehypertension and hypertension: A hospital-based cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Background: Hypertension prediction using anthropometry and bioimpedance offers practical advantages for screening. We aimed to analyze various anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance (BIA) estimates as predictive markers of prehypertension and hypertension. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included 432 adult participants recruited from the medicine outpatient department of a tertiary hospital. Blood pressure measurements; anthropometric measurements of weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and hip circumference; and BIA (Omron HBF 375) were performed for body fat%, resting metabolic rate, visceral fat level, and skeletal muscle percentage. Results: Of the 432 participants comprising 220 males and 212 females, 36.8% were normotensive, 42% were prehypertensive, and 21% were hypertensive. Visceral fat (r 0.662, 95% CI: 0.60–0.72, P < 0.001) and resting metabolic rate (r 0.589, 95% CI: 0.52–0.65, P < 0.001) had the highest positive correlation, while skeletal muscle percentage (r -0.551, 95% CI: -0.62 to -0.48, P < 0.001) had a negative correlation with systolic blood pressure according to bivariate analysis. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for predicting hypertension, visceral fat volume had an area under curve (AUC) of 0.913, and resting metabolic rate had an AUC of 0.968, indicating the best predictive accuracy. Conclusion: Multiple BIA estimates, including high visceral fat content, resting metabolic rate, and adipose marker levels combined with low skeletal muscle percentage, were strongly associated with hypertension. Our analysis suggested the superiority of bioimpedance predictors over anthropometry-based prediction modeling alone for screening for hypertension in clinical practice.

Effectiveness of educational training program on the knowledge of COTPA Act among the nonteaching staff of a tertiary care hospital

BACKGROUND: Globally, tobacco is among the leading factors attributable to death. The nonteaching staff plays a pivotal role in making a campus a “tobacco-free zone.” The objective of the study is to assess the effectiveness of an educational training program conducted on the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 among nonteaching staff of a tertiary care hospital. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 nonteaching staff of a tertiary care hospital in the Raebareli district of Uttar Pradesh, India. An educational training program on COTPA 2003 was conducted in collaboration with the State Tobacco Control Cell. Data were collected before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the training program. A paired t-test was applied to compare both knowledge scores. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with knowledge scores. RESULTS: Around 187 (37.4%) security personnel, 198 (39.6%) housekeeping staff and 115 (23%) hospital attendants participated in the study. The pre-test mean (± standard deviation (SD)) knowledge score was 4.91 ± 1.59 whereas post-test mean (± SD) knowledge score was 7.91 ± 1.42. The pre-test knowledge score was associated with residence, age, and history of tobacco consumption of study participants. The female gender was associated with the pre-test knowledge score having a standardized coefficient -0.49 (P value = 0.009). The post-test knowledge score was associated with a history of tobacco consumption with a standardized coefficient of 0.42 (P value = 0.012). CONCLUSION: The educational training program improved the knowledge of the study participants with maximum improvement among the housekeeping staff. The history of tobacco consumption emerged as a significant factor affecting knowledge even after the training program.

A Study of Onychoscopic Findings in Various Dermatological Disorders

Context: About 10% of all the dermatological conditions are comprised nail disorders. It is challenging for the dermatologists to diagnose nail disorders quickly without the help of invasive procedures. Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate onychoscopic patterns associated with various nail disorders. Settings and Designs: Hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching institute in Maharashtra, India from November 2019 to May 2021. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty patients, with a history and clinical presentation suggestive of nail disorders, were recruited in the study after confirming the clinical diagnosis. Patients having secondarily modified lesions were excluded. Dry as well as wet onychoscopy using polarized and nonpolarized modes was performed with the help of DermLite 4 dermoscope with an attached OnePlus 8T mobile phone camera to capture and save the dermoscopic images. Data were compiled and statistically analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Statistical Analysis Used: Categorical variables were expressed in frequency and percentages. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS version 20. P value (using Z-test for proportions) was calculated wherever needed. Results: The majority of the patients were in the age group of 21–50 years with slight male preponderance. Overall most common onychoscopic findings studied in all the disorders were the nail plate alterations followed by chromonychia. The most common nail changes associated with connective tissue disorders were changes in the proximal nail fold capillaries along with changes in the curvature. The most common change observed in onychomycosis was chromonychia. Aurora borealis, spikes, and jagged edges of onycholytic plate with ruin pattern of hyperkeratosis were specific to onychomycosis. Inflammatory disorders of the nail unit (e.g., lichen planus and nail psoriasis) showed nail plate alterations with increased nail plate fragility. Conclusions: Some onychoscopic patterns are observed consistently with certain diseases, and these can be used for their diagnosis, hence, avoiding unnecessary biopsies, thus improving the patient outcome.

CYP2C19 Poor Metabolizer Status and High System Inflammation Response Index are Independent Risk Factors for Premature Myocardial Infarction: A Hospital-Based Retrospective Study.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a sustained chronic vascular inflammatory response caused by lipid metabolism disorders and immune response disorders and is the main cause of premature (men ≤ 55 years old, women ≤ 65 years old) myocardial infarction (PMI). Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) (related to vascular function and lipid metabolism) and peripheral immune cell levels and plays an important role in the course of AS. The association CYP2C19 polymorphisms, comprehensive immunoinflammatory indices with PMI susceptibility is unclear. This study included 485 PMI patients, and 639 age-matched non-PMI individuals as controls, from January 2019 to March 2024. The relationship between CYP2C19 polymorphisms, peripheral immunoinflammatory indices (pan-immune inflammation value (PIV), systemic immune inflammation index (SII), and system inflammation response index (SIRI)) and PMI risk were analyzed. The inflammatory indices levels in PMI patients were higher than those in controls (all p<0.05). The frequencies of the CYP2C19 *1/*2 and *2/*2 genotypes were higher, while the frequency of the *1/*1 genotype was lower in the PMI patients than those in controls. The cut-off values of TC, TG, LDL-C, PIV, SII, and SIRI were 5.065, 1.305, 2.805, 410.485, 869.645, and 1.495 for distinguishing PMI, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that male (odds ratio (OR): 1.607, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.134-2.277, p=0.008), history of smoking (OR: 7.108, 95% CI: 4.351-11.614, p<0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR: 4.906, 95% CI: 3.333-7.223, p<0.001), CYP2C19 poor metabolizer (PM) (*2/*2, *2/*3, and *3/*3) (OR: 2.147, 95% CI: 1.279-3.603, p=0.004), and high TG (≥1.305 vs <1.305, OR: 2.598, 95% CI: 1.864-3.623, p<0.001) and SIRI level (≥1.495 vs <1.495, OR: 2.495, 95% CI: 1.432-4.349, p=0.001) were independent risk factors for PMI. CYP2C19 PM phenotype, high SIRI level (≥1.495) and TG level (≥1.305), male, history of smoking, and diabetes mellitus were independently associated with PMI susceptibility.

Antimicrobial resistance profiles of and associated risk factors for Pseudomonas aeruginosa nosocomial infection among patients at two tertiary healthcare facilities in Lusaka and Copperbelt Provinces, Zambia.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa is among the top 10 threats to global health. However, clinical and molecular data are scarce in Zambia. We, therefore, evaluated the AMR profiles of P. aeruginosa nosocomial infections (NIs). A year-long hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at two large tertiary-level hospitals in Zambia. Patients with current or previous hospital contact were screened for NIs. The current study focused on patients diagnosed with P. aeruginosa NIs. Clinical specimens were collected for bacteriological culture, and PCR amplification of 16S rRNA gene fragments was performed on pure isolates. Hospital or NIs were defined as infections that arise during hospitalization, occurring at least 48 h after admission. The Kirby-Bauer's disk diffusion method was used to evaluate antibiotic resistance patterns. The association between AMR and risk factors was analysed using the χ2 test. Eight hundred and forty-one patients were screened, and clinical specimens were collected and analysed. Of them, 116 (13.7%) were diagnosed with P. aeruginosa NIs. The participants' ages ranged from 15 to 98 years, with a mean of 51 (SD ± 18). Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (57%) were the most common, followed by pressure sores (38.7%). P. aeruginosa isolates were primarily susceptible to amikacin, which had the highest resistance to FEP. We observed a high prevalence of multidrug resistance (73.6%). The AMR was associated with carbapenem-hydrolysing β-lactamase gene blaOXA-51 and surgical care. This study has demonstrated that multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa is prevalent in hospitals in Zambia's Lusaka and Ndola districts and possibly countrywide.

Determinants of teenage pregnancy and knowledge about contraception, sexually transmitted diseases among pregnant women: A case-control study in Eastern India

ABSTRACT Context: Each year, about 21 million girls aged 15–19 in developing regions experience pregnancy, posing significant challenges for their health, well-being, and economic stability due to its vast impact. Aim: To identify the risk factors contributing to teenage pregnancy as compared to Pregnancy in pregnant women in the rural area of the Khordha district with the assessment of their knowledge and, health-seeking behaviour (Contraception and STDs) among teenage and adult pregnant women in the study area. Settings and Design: Hospital-based case-control study conducted at Bhubaneswar’s Community Health Centre. Material and Methods: The study, conducted from April to July 2022, recruited 138 participants using consecutive sampling and interviewed them using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Statistical Analysis: Chi-square and logistic regression assessed association and strength. Results: Factors contributing to teenage pregnancy include education below high school (AOR = 2.46; 95%CI 0.89–6.79), SC and ST caste (AOR = 2.34; 95%CI 0.94–5.82), having more than three siblings (AOR = 4.45; 95%CI 1.53–12.96), and lack of communication about sexual issues (AOR = 2.84; 95%CI 1.25–6.39). Awareness of contraceptive methods was 34.8% among cases and 56.5% among controls (p = 0.02). Regarding STD awareness and symptoms, 15.2% of cases and 42.4% of controls were knowledgeable and experienced symptoms (p &lt; 0.01). Conclusions: This study suggests that factors such as lower education, minority caste, having more than three siblings, and lack of communication about sexual issues contribute to early pregnancy. These findings could enhance existing ARSH platforms by integrating regular engagement and sensitization efforts.

A Study of Respiratory Hygiene Among Patients With Respiratory Manifestations in a Selected Primary Healthcare Setting in India.

Tuberculosis is the second leading infectious killer disease, mainly transmitted through undiagnosed presumptive and inadequately treated pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) cases in the community. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) related to respiratory hygiene and sputum disposal methods and to estimate the proportion of presumptive PTB cases among patients with clinical features of respiratory manifestations. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 80 adult patients with respiratory manifestations at an urban health centre in Goa using a validated, pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire by interview method. Among 80 study participants, 10 (12.5%) presumptive PTB cases were found. The knowledge regarding the exact cause and transmission of tuberculosis was 55% (44) and 72.4% (58), respectively. Around 32.5% (26) of participants were not following cough etiquette and they studied only up to middle school. Regarding the attitude towards ideal sputum disposal methods, more than three-fourths (81.3%, 65) of the responses were towards unsafe sputum disposal methods. There is a need for health education regarding proper respiratory hygiene and sputum disposal methods, especially among patients with low educational and socio-economic groups.

Urinary tract infections and associated factors among patients with an enlarged prostate at a tertiary hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThe objectives are to determine the prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) and associated factors among patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.DesignHospital-based cross-sectional study.SettingsUrology clinic and urology...

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms Among Healthcare Professionals at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Depression, a prevalent mental health issue, can significantly impact healthcare workers (HCWs), leading to decreased productivity, increased turnover, and high medical errors. However, there is a dearth of information regarding depression among healthcare professionals in Somalia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude and risk factors associated with depressive symptoms among healthcare professionals in Mogadishu, Somalia. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs at Erdogan Hospital, in the capital city of Somalia. Data was collected using questionnaires on socio demographic, work-related characteristics and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify variables associated with depressive symptoms. A p-values of 0.05 as a cutoff for a significant association. The prevalence of depressive symptoms among healthcare professionals was 48.9% (95% CI: 45.4-56.9%). In multivariable analysis, being female (AOR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.17-3.60), being a nurse (AOR = 3.11; 95% CI: 1.14-8.48), unmarried (AOR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.04-3.21), having insufficient sleep (AOR = 2.61; 95% CI: 1.45-4.70), a family history of mental illness (AOR = 3.31; 95% CI: 1.49-7.36), lack of physical activity (AOR = 2.59; 95% CI: 1.19-5.62), and having low social support (AOR = 3.06; 95% CI: 1.17-7.98) were all associated with increased odds of experiencing depressive symptoms. The study showed that nearly half of healthcare professionals experienced depressive symptoms. The study underscores the importance of efficient screening methods for identifying psychological symptoms in healthcare professionals, which is essential for enhancing their mental health and patient care. Therefore, we recommend that healthcare institutions and policymakers develop and implement screening measures to identify and improve the mental health well-being of HCWs, as well as provide high-quality patient care.

P4.17D.03 Analysis of Lung Cancer Mortality Trends and Factors Impacting Years of Life Lost: A 20-Year Hospital-Based Cohort Study in São Paulo, Brazil.

P4.17D.03 Analysis of Lung Cancer Mortality Trends and Factors Impacting Years of Life Lost: A 20-Year Hospital-Based Cohort Study in São Paulo, Brazil.

Incidence And Risk Factors Of Retinopathy Of Prematurity: An Observational Study

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity is a condition where development of abnormal retinal vessels is secondary to an incomplete vascularization of retinal tissue due to hyperoxia, causing feedback inhibition of VEGF and destruction of endothelial cells. The risk factors of ROP should be identified to prevent disease development, and the knowledge of its etiology may help neonatologists and ophthalmologists perform careful screening and executive accurate diagnosis. In view of less literature on ROP in India, the current study was undertaken. Methods: This is a hospital-based observational study done on Neonates born at our tertiary care center- ASRAM Medical College, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh. The study was done for 6 months. Preterm infants having birth weight ≤ 1500g or gestational age ≤ 32 weeks or BW &gt; 1500g or GA between 32 to 37 weeks with either respiratory distress syndrome, or sepsis, blood transfusions, and intraventricular hemorrhage were included. Results: ROP found in 21% infants. There is no significant difference in gender, mean gestational age between two grroups. Among 21 infants with ROP, 11 had stage 1 ROP, 8 had stage 2 and 2 had stage 3 ROP. There is significant difference in mean birth weight in between two groups. Conclusion: Impaired lung function (indicating the need for usage of surfactant) which may be, caused by pneumonia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or hyaline membrane disease, is an important risk factor for the development of ROP. ROP needs prompt therapeutic interventions to maintain high interest at this stage

Health literacy, nutrition literacy, and B vitamins status in patients with recurrent ischemic heart disease episodes: A hospital-based cross-sectional study

Background: In Oman, ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the most common type of cardiovascular disease, and there are multifactorial causes, including nutritional deficiencies of B vitamins (folate and B12) and health illiteracy. Objective: This study aimed to characterize the health literacy, nutrition literacy, and B-vitamin (folate and B12) status of patients with recurrent episodes of IHD. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 5 months from February to June 2022. The enrolled study participants had an angiographically proven recurrence of IHD, and they were interviewed using a study questionnaire to identify their sociodemographic data, health status, and nutrition status. Folate and B12 were measured in the sera of the study participants. Results: Most participants were in their middle age (62%), and the frequency of the IHD recurrence was noticed among men, married, and unemployed. The serum values of folate and vitamin B12 were within the normal range among the IHD patients. Health literacy categories were affected by the employment status (χ2 1 = 6.05, P = 0.01), and the binary logistic regression confirmed the statistical significance between employment status and health literacy (odds ratio; 1.7, P = 0.005). Nutrition literacy had a significant difference regarding the education variable (χ2 1 = 8.34, P = 0.004), and the sociodemographic variables were not associated with nutrition literacy. Conclusion: The investigated health and nutrition literacy measures might be used for assessing IHD patients’ literacy and detecting any deficits that needed to be improved.

Risk Factors for Renal Involvement in Childhood Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (IgA Vasculitis).

This study was designed to investigate the risk factors for renal involvement in children with immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis. It is a hospital-based retrospective cohort study with a sample size of 117 children aged ≤16 years with primary IgA vasculitis. Out of 117 patients, 49 (41.9%) developed renal injury. Univariate analysis revealed that age, gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), time of duration, white blood cell count, D-dimer, and platelet count were all associated with renal injury in the patients with HSP. These variables were included in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results showed that elevated D-dimer level, older age, and GIB were independent risk factors for renal damage in patients with IgA vasculitis. Key Words:Henoch-schonlein purpura, Immunoglobulin A vasculitis, Nephritis, D-dimer, Risk factors.

Prevalence and Predictors of Fear of Childbirth Among the Pregnant Women Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Imphal-East District Manipur, North-East India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Fear of childbirth (FOC) is a feeling of uncertainty and anxiousness before, during or after delivery which may increase the risk of various physical problems and mental disorders thereby affecting maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of fear of childbirth and to determine its associated factors among pregnant women. Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic of a tertiary-care hospital in Imphal-East District of Manipur. A 30-item questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to test for association taking all variables with p &lt; 0.2 for model building for the adjusted analysis. A p value &lt;0.05 was taken as level of significance. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Results: Out of 431 participants, fear of childbirth was seen in 36%. Increasing age of the respondent (AOR: 0.877) and residing in urban area (AOR: 0.548) showed a protective effect but respondents having past history of abortion (AOR: 2.054) and being in the third trimester of pregnancy (AOR: 1.964) were found to have an increased risk of having ‘Fear of childbirth’ (p&lt;0.005). Conclusions: Overall, 155 (36%) of women had fear of childbirth. It is important that healthcare professionals to be aware of fear of childbirth and ensure that pregnant women receive adequate health education, counselling during regular ANC checkups.

Clinical Outcomes after Cleft Palate Repair at a Major Referral Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: The two most common complications after primary palatoplasty are oronasal fistula and velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). To the best of our knowledge, there have been no studies examining postpalatoplasty speech outcomes in Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital-based retrospective cross sectional study design was used. A total of 149 patient records were reviewed, and 103 patients fulfilled all the inclusion criteria. These 103 cleft lip and palate patients who had undergone cleft palate repair at Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College and who had undergone long-term speech assessment with the speech therapy department from January 2019 to December 2021 were included in this study. The bivariate/multivariate logistic regression was used to compare between different groups of patients, with the level of significance set at a P value of less than 0.05. Results: Moderate and severe hypernasality was seen in 45.7% of patients. Age at time of palatal surgery has significant association with incidence of hypernasality (P = 0.01). The type of cleft, sex of the patient, and type of surgery had no significant association with incidence of hypernasality. Oronasal fistula was seen in 25% of patients, with Pittsburgh type VI being the most common (40%). Conclusions: There is a high rate of VPI and oronasal fistula in this cohort of patients who underwent palatoplasty at Yekatit 12 Hospital. One of the factors for higher complication rate was older age at time of surgery. Therefore, patient education and strengthening the cleft care with training are paramount to ensure better results.

Self-care practices and influencing factors among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: A hospital-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a widespread non-communicable disease in India that significantly affects the healthcare system owing to its acute and chronic complications. The traditional approach to diabetes care has focused on medical professionals, but recent research has indicated that self-care among patients is crucial. Effective self-care practices can enhance the quality of life of T2DM patients. This study aimed to evaluate self-care practices among T2DM patients at a sub-district hospital in Gujarat State, India. MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 93 T2DM patients. Self-care activities were assessed using the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) scale. Descriptive statistics and comparative analyses were performed. ResultsThe majority of the participants were male (55.9 %) and over 60 years of age (67.7 %). Participants demonstrated high adherence to medication regimens (mean score = 6.66 ± 0.86). However, adherence to other self-care practices was significantly lower; only 11.8 % reported good dietary behavior, 55.91 % engaged in regular exercise, and 50.5 % performed regular foot care. While 83.8 % reported good monitoring behavior, this contradicts the low adherence to blood glucose testing (mean score = 0.38 ± 0.59). Participants aged <60 years tended to report slightly better adherence to blood glucose testing than those aged ≥60 years. ConclusionThis study revealed a gap in self-care practices among T2DM patients in Gujarat. Despite good medication adherence, the patients demonstrated poor adherence to diet, exercise, and foot care. These findings emphasize the importance of customized interventions to improve self-management education and support, particularly for older adults.

Correlation of Biochemical Markers with Chest CT Severity Index and Oxygen Saturation in Moderate to Severe COVID-19 Patients: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: COVID-19, a global pandemic, has been linked to biochemical parameters such as Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Total Leucocyte Count (TLC), Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), and liver function tests, which correlate with disease severity. Prothrombotic markers like D-Dimer and Fibrinogen levels, along with the CT Severity Index (CTSI) indicating lung involvement, are associated with clinical worsening. This study aims to observe biochemical and chest radiological profiles in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients and explore any correlations between them. Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, involving 80 symptomatic COVID-19 patients with SpO₂ ≤94%. Patients with liver, kidney, chronic inflammatory diseases, COPD, malignancy, or asthma were excluded. Results: Out of 80 patients, 29 had moderate and 51 had severe illness. Statistically significant differences were observed in TLC, ESR, CRP, AST, ALT, A:G ratio, LDH, Fibrinogen, and D-Dimer between moderate and severe cases. The CTSI correlated significantly with TLC, NLR, CRP, AST, ALT, A:G ratio, LDH, Fibrinogen, and D-Dimer. CTSI values also differed significantly between moderate and severe COVID-19 cases. Conclusion: Biochemical markers such as ESR, TLC, CRP, liver enzymes, LDH, D-Dimer, and Fibrinogen can help predict disease severity. These markers also correlate with radiological severity in COVID-19.

Etiological spectrum of acute kidney injury and adverse outcome: A single-center observation

ABSTRACT Background: The present study aims to evaluate the etiological spectrum with clinicopathological parameters and adverse outcomes of acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods: A hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted for a spectrum of AKI in 103 AKI patients and their AKI-associated adverse outcomes. The AKI patients were included as per the KDIGO definition. The patients with a known chronic kidney disease (CKD) were excluded from the study population. A clinicopathological association with AKI was observed. Adverse outcomes and the need for renal biopsy were recorded in 3 weeks followed up to 6 months. Results: A single-center study recorded that the incidence of AKI was 8.6% with a mean age of 34 ± 16 years. The cause of AKI due to medical reasons was maximum (70.8%), followed by obstetric (21.3%) and surgery (7.7%). The AKI mortality rate was 16% (P &lt; 0.05). Renal biopsy in 34 cases showed that acute tubular necrosis was higher (38%), followed by acute cortical necrosis (23%). The spectrum of AKI was very diverse. In the 6-month follow-up, the adverse outcome was observed in 27.2% of patients, where the mortality rate was 16.5% and 10.7% of patients progressed to CKD. Conclusion: The spectrum of AKI was diverse among the population, and most of the etiologies are preventable. This alarms the need for better preventive strategies with a better referral system. The obstetric population with AKI, which majorly leads to either mortality or progression to CKD, is the section that seeks more attention.

The Effect of Quality of Diet on Periodontal Health Status among a Sample of Adult Egyptian Patients: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

The Effect of Quality of Diet on Periodontal Health Status among a Sample of Adult Egyptian Patients: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Characterization of primary Sjögren's syndrome in the Taiwan Han population through a genome-wide association study and polygenic risk score analysis

BackgroundSjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the exocrine glands, leading to dryness of mucous membranes and systemic manifestations. This study aimed to identify genetic markers associated with primary SS (pSS) in the Taiwan Han population through a hospital-based genome-wide association study (GWAS) and polygenic risk score (PRS) analysis, addressing the lack of genetic research. ResultsThis study included 11,390 patients diagnosed with pSS and 113,900 controls. GWAS identified one known locus and eight novel loci. Known HLA alleles, including HLA-DRB1*15:01 and HLA-DQA1*03:01, were successfully replicated in a consistent effect direction. PRS analysis revealed that several autoimmune diseases share similar genetic backgrounds with pSS. ConclusionThis study represents the largest cohort to date on the genetics of pSS in the Taiwan Han population. Our findings provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of pSS and emphasize the comorbidities associated with it as an autoimmune disease.