Preset Proforma Research Articles

Socioeconomic Risk Factors in Neurocysticercosis.

NCC is responsible for around 30% of active epilepsy in endemic countries such as India. Knowing socioeconomic factors associated with NCC can help in decreasing the incidence of this disease. We intend to study socioeconomic risk factors in NCC patients and how these factors are different from patients without NCC. Consecutive 100 adult patients of NCC presenting to neurology services with probable NCC (symptomatic or asymptomatic) along with age- and sex-matched controls were interviewed with preset proforma and then data was compiled and analyzed statistically. The NCC group had significantly more people with lesser education level (53%) as compared to control group (42%) (P = 0.002), lower socioeconomic status, poor hand hygiene practices, and use of contaminated vegetables (40% NCC group, 1% control group, P < 0.0001). Open defecation practice was also more among NCC cases. Lower education and socioeconomic status, poor hand hygiene, and eating undercooked contaminated vegetables are modifiable factors that are more prevalent in patients of NCC compared to controls. Social interventions aiming at these will help to reduce NCC patients in our country.

Clinico-etiological profile of atopic dermatitis in Northeast India

Objectives: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder with relapsing and remitting course affecting all age groups and has multifactorial pathogenesis. As multiple genetic and environmental factors contribute to the pathogenesis of AD, its prevalence and presentation vary among different ethnic groups residing in different geographical areas. This study was conducted to study the clinical profile and aggravating factors in cases of AD attending a tertiary hospital in Meghalaya, India, and to find a correlation of disease with serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Material and Methods: Patients suspected of AD were diagnosed on the basis of Hanifin and Rajka criteria and included in this study. All relevant demographic, anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical data were collected as per a preset pro forma. Serum IgE levels were tested for every patient using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Results: A total of 50 diagnosed cases of AD were included in our study with ages ranging from 5 months to 61 years, and the median age for the study population was 7.9 years. Male-to-female ratio was 1:1.17. Urban patients (66%) outnumbered rural patients and the majority of these patients (90%) belonged to the upper middle class (class II) according to the modified Kuppuswamy scale. The disease was aggravated in winters in 70%, in summer in 10%, due to wool in 48%, and due to food items in 22% of patients. Allergic rhinitis was found to be coexisting in 8% of patients, whereas asthma was found in 2% of patients. The predominant site of involvement was the face (91.9%) in children and the flexor surface (92.3%) among adults. The most common clinical presentation included pruritus (100%) and xerosis (98%). Serum IgE was raised in 58% of patients. Conclusion: Atopic dermatitis of chronic type with predominant facial involvement in children and predominant flexural involvement in adults was common in our study population. Seasonal changes, food items, and woolen clothes were common causative and exacerbating factors. Some atypical presentations included posterior thigh eczema, infra-auricular fissures, retroauricular fissures, eyelid eczema, genital dermatitis, juvenile plantar dermatoses, infranasal fissure, and follicular variant of the disease.

Association between cigarette smoking and Acne Vulgaris

Acne is a disease involving pilosebaceous unit commonly affecting adolescents. Acne has a multifactorial aetiology but in recent years, studies have shed some light in the relationship between cigarette smoking and acne. As previous studies linking cigarette smoking and acne had produced conflicting results, we conducted this study to provide comprehensive information of cigarette smoking and its association with acne in Nepalese population. The study comprised all participants who met the inclusion criteria as well as a control group that was age and sex matched. The demographic profile, smoking history, previous history, drug history, and examination results were entered into a pre-set proforma. There were a total of 100 cases of acne patients (Group A) with age and sex-matched 100 controls (Group B). There were 69% females and 31% males. The majority of the acne patients (Group A) were students in 65%, as compared to 42% in control group. In group A, 95% never smoked and 5% were smokers (cigarettes). In group B, 98% never smoked and 2% were smokers (cigarettes). The commonest site of acne lesions was in face 64. Among the acne patients there were 27% mild acne, 58% moderate acne and 15% severe acne. There was no association found between cigarette smoking and acne (OR- 2.57, 95% CI -0.4884 to 13.6173, P&gt;0.05). There was no correlation between acne and smoking in Nepalese population. However, a larger sample size is recommended to confirm the correlation.

TO STUDY THE EFFICACY OF TROPICAL APPLICATION OF CANNABIS IN CHRONIC KNEE JOINT PAIN PATIENTS

Introduction: Tropical application of Cannabis oil is effective in patients suffering from chronic knee pain. Objectives: The objective of this study was to study the decrease in pain at specified time intervals after tropical application of cannabis oil in chronic joint pain patients and to study the change in the visual analog score (VAS) and numeric rating scale (NRS) scoring of patient’s pain before and after the application. Methods: Patients were pre-informed about the process. VAS and NRS scores were noted before tropical application of the Cannabis oil. Cannabis oil was applied tropically on patients with chronic joint pain on the specified site, that is, B/L knee joints. Then, the decrease in the severity of pain at specific time interval was recorded on the pre-set pro forma. The VAS score and NRS score were recorded 30 min after the application. The final data were represented in the form of tables and graphs. Results: The mean improvement values at 0–5 min, 5–10 min, 15–20 min, and 20–30 min were 35.90%, 41.80%, 47.90%, and 56.50%, respectively. The mean VAS score before application 7.00 reduced significantly to 2.32 after 30 min of application (p&lt;0.05). Similarly, the mean NRS score also reduced significantly to 2.52 from mean value 7.08 at before application (p&lt;0.05), that is, pain is significantly reduced. Conclusion: From the data analysis, we reach to the conclusion that tropical application of Cannabis oil is effective in B/L knee joint osteoarthritis chronic pain.

Dermoscopy of Non-Melanocytic Skin Tumors: A Descriptive Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: Dermoscopy is a non-invasive technique that enhances visualization of morphological lesions invisible to naked eye examination and aids in clinical diagnosis. We study its role in non-melanocytic skin tumors. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the dermoscopic features of non-melanocyte skin tumors of skin Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study including patients clinically diagnosed as non-melanocytic epidermal tumors was conducted. All dermoscopic findings were studied using a handheld pocket dermoscope (Dermlite DL1) and recorded in a preset proforma. Results: A total of 100 patients were enrolled in the study with mean age of 37 (+/-18.34). There were 56 % females. The face was the commonest site of involvement (56%). Seborrheic keratosis was the commonest clinical diagnosis (55%), followed by pyogenic granuloma 8%, cherry angioma 7%, haemangioma 6%, basal cell carcinoma 5%, achrochordons 4%, xanthelasma, and sebaceous hyperplasia in 3% each. Squamous cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis were seen in 2% each; Angiokeratoma, Bowens disease, stetocytoma multiplex, syringoma, and neurofibroma were all found in 1% of the patients. In dermoscopy, vascular changes were seen in 41% patients, which appeared as regular in 56.1% and rest 43.9% as irregular. Non-vascular changes were seen in 68%. Dermoscopic findings of vascular and non-vascular changes were statistically significantly associated with various types of non-melanocytic epidermal tumors (P &lt;0.05). Conclusion: Our study shows histopathological correlation with the existing dermoscopic characteristics increases the diagnostic accuracy of various non-melanocytic tumors. However, more studies are warranted to statistically prove its utility.

Patterns of infant dermatoses: An observational study from the dermatology outpatient clinic of a tertiary referral center

Objectives: To study the pattern of dermatoses among infants who attended the dermatology outpatient clinic of a tertiary referral center. Materials and Methods: We included 270 consecutive infants (children aged 1 year and below) with dermatoses who attended the outpatient clinic of the department of dermatology of our tertiary referral center. Using a preset proforma, we collected information on patient profile, evolution of dermatosis, and clinical features. The dermatoses observed were classified as transient and non-infective conditions, nevi and other developmental defects, genodermatoses, infections and infestations, inflammatory dermatoses, reactive dermatoses, and other miscellaneous conditions. Results: The study participants included 162 males (60%) and 108 females (40%). Fifty-three infants (53/270, 19.6%) were neonates. The most common dermatoses observed among the study participants were infections and infestations (86, 31.9%) followed by inflammatory dermatoses (83, 30.7%). Among the neonates, the common dermatoses observed were napkin dermatitis (14/53, 26.4%), transient neonatal pustular melanosis (6/53, 11.3%), and congenital melanocytic nevus (6/53, 11.3%). The common dermatoses observed among infants above 28 days were fungal infections (32/217, 14.7%), atopic dermatitis (23/217, 10.6%), miliaria (22/217, 10.1%) and infantile seborrheic dermatitis (21/217, 9.7%). Limitations: The study carried out in the outpatient clinic of the dermatology department of a tertiary referral center and the cross-sectional design were the major limitations. Conclusion: Fungal infection was the most frequently observed infection. Whether, this indicates an epidemiological shift in the prevalence of dermatophytosis in pediatric age group needs analysis in future multicenter studies. Napkin dermatitis and atopic dermatitis were the most common non-infective dermatoses in the neonatal and post-neonatal age groups, respectively.

Self-cosmetic care during the COVID-19 pandemic and its psychological impacts: Facts behind the closed doors.

BackgroundCoronavirus disease (COVID‐19) pandemic has resulted in significant negative psychological impacts in our life. Not doing adequate cosmetic care of skin, hair, and nails might be one of the underexplored but preventable reasons for the same.AimsTo identify the change in cosmetic care habits of female undergraduate medical students during the coronavirus disease pandemic and to identify its psychological impacts on them.MethodsA total of 218 individuals participated in this online study. Data were collected using a preset pro forma as a Google questionnaire to fulfill the objectives. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 11.5 and presented as percentage, mean, SD, median, IQR in tables and graphs.ResultsMean age of the participants was 21.56 ± 1.95 years. Maximum respondents (66.0%) are not taking cosmetic care of skin, hair, and nail during the pandemic as before. More than two‐thirds (68.8%) are feeling bad, 31.2% are neutral, whereas none are feeling good because of this change. Second‐year students and the participants from rural locations are taking least cosmetic care (p < 0.05). However, coronavirus disease infection and major life events in the family did not affect it. Nail care was prioritized by the maximum (64.2%). Of all participants who are not doing cosmetic care as before, a maximum (50.0%) had lost self‐satisfaction followed by increased irritability (43.8%).ConclusionsA huge number of female medical students are not doing cosmetic care of their skin, hair, and nail during the coronavirus disease lockdown; they also perceive significant negative psychological impact because of this change.

Psychiatric morbidity, stress and quality of life among geriatric dermatology patients: Therapeutic considerations from an Indian perspective.

We aimed to determine the prevalence of psychiatric morbidities, stress and quality of life, the pattern of skin diseases and associated psychosocial factors in geriatric population. Patients aged 60 years and older were recruited. Demographics and dermatological history and findings were collected using a preset Proforma. Geriatric depression scale (GDS), hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), perceived stress scale (PSS), and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) were instituted in all the patients. A total of 310 patients were included in the study, 173 males and 137 females. Infectious diseases (39.6%), papulosquamous diseases (17.1%), and eczema (15.5%) were common disorders. 45.5% were depressed and 43.2% had anxiety (hospital anxiety and depression scale). 55.8% had depression (geriatric depression rating scale), 20.3% had high stress and 11% had extremely large effect on DLQI. Divorced/widowed patients experienced more depression (p = 0.037) and had more impairment in quality of life (p = 0.05). Patients living in three generation family experienced more impairment in quality of life (p = 0.000). Our study demonstrated high prevalence of psychiatric morbidities in geriatric dermatology patients. It implies the need of special care with more attention to psychiatric co morbidities. The role of psychiatry-dermatology liaison clinic may benefit these patients.

Visual disability certification: A boon for the specially abled

Background: Visual disability has deep emotional, social and economic impact. Rehabilitation of these individuals needs multidisciplinary approach to provide timely and complete support and improve the quality of life of the individual. Visual disability certification can be recognized as a mean by which social services of visually disabled can be coordinated. Objective was to analyze the demographics, causes and degree of visual disability and reasons of seeking disability certificate amongst visually disabled individuals attending ophthalmology OPD at a Tertiary Care Centre in India.Methods: A cross sectional study of patients seeking visual disability certificate was undertaken on 350 patients (567 eyes). Data were collected using pre set proforma. Cause of blindness was ascertained by complete ophthalmic examination and visually disability certificate was issued according to guidelines provided by Government of India.Results: Male female ratio was 1.9:1. Most of patients were from rural side, illiterate and unemployed. Most common age group was 16-30 years and financial and transport assistance was common reason for which certificate was sought. Corneal opacity was most common cause of blindness and visual impairment.Conclusions: Taking necessary preventive measures with the leading causes being identified can reduce the burden of visual impairment. On one hand increase in ophthalmic care and public education is needed to minimize the avoidable blindness rates ;on other hand strategies should be made to rehabilitate the individuals suffering from the unavoidable blindness. Benefits provided via visual disability certificate can play a pivotal role in rehabilitation of such patients.

Dermatoses among patients aged 60 years and above attending a tertiary referral center: A cross-sectional study from North Kerala

Objectives: With the rise in life expectancy at birth, geriatric population contributes to a significant proportion of those seeking medical aid. Skin problems in the elderly are very common and vary according to region and ethnicity. It is essential for dermatologists to have a better understanding of the pathophysiology of geriatric skin disorders to formulate quality management guidelines. This study was undertaken to document the frequency and the clinical pattern of various physiological and pathological changes in the elderly skin. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 200 consecutive patients aged 60 years and above and who attended the Dermatology outpatient clinic of a tertiary referral center in North Kerala. A pre-set pro forma was used to document the patient characteristics, the comorbidities, the medications used, and the clinical findings. Results: All the study participants (100%) had one or more dermatoses. The age of the study population ranged from 60 to 89 years (mean 67.7 ± 6.2 years). This was a female preponderant study with a female to male ratio of 1.4:1. Hypertension (36%), hyperlipidemia (27%) and diabetes mellitus (26%) were the common comorbidities observed. Graying of hair was the most common physiological change, followed by wrinkling. Pruritus was the most common presenting complaint (136, 68%). Statistically significant association was noted between xerosis and generalized pruritus. Fungal infections (30.5%) outnumbered other infections and infestations. Changes of severe photoaging were less frequent. One patient had skin malignancy (basal cell carcinoma). Significant association was noted between photoaging and male sex, smoking, and sun exposure. Limitations: Study conducted in a tertiary referral center not reflecting the status in the community was the major limitation. Conclusion: Photoaging and skin cancers are less frequent in darker skin type. Healthy lifestyle, nutritious diet, frequent application of emollient, better skin care, and judicious use of sunscreen can delay the process of cutaneous aging. More prospective studies in different population groups may go a long way in improving the current knowledge about the less known aspects of geriatric dermatoses.

Detection of autoimmune thyroiditis in children with goitre attending the pediatric department of a tertiary care hospital in Chennai.

Introduction: Goitre is a common problem among children. The incidence of autoimmune thyroiditis is on the rise. This study is intended to evaluate all goitrous children with Thyroid profile and to look for autoimmunity. AIM To detect autoimmune thyroiditis in children less than 15 years of age with goitre. Objectives: To screen for thyroid dysfunction. To detect autoimmunity by antithyroid antibodies and FNAC. Materials and methods: 107 Children with goitre attending the Paediatric Department of ESIC Medical College and PGIMSR were included. Relevant history and physical examination findings were documented in a preset proforma. Thyroid function tests, anti TPO antibody and FNAC of the thyroid gland were done. The results were analysed statistically. Observations and Results: Out of 107 children, 10 had evidence of hypothyroidism. Anti TPO antibodies were detected in 11, while 8 had FNAC evidence of autoimmune thyroiditis. While all the FNAC positive cases had hypothyroidism only 8/11 antibody positive cases had evidence of thyroid dysfunction. Three cases with neither evidence of hypothyroidism nor FNAC positivity had antibody positivity. On comparing antibody positivity with FNAC in the detection of autoimmunity, we inferred that antibody positivity can be used as a diagnostic tool. Conclusion: Prevalence of autoimmunity was 7.5% by FNAC and 10.3% by anti TPO antibodies. Hypothyroidism was detected in 9.34% of goitres. Few cases of AIT may not have hypothyroidism, may require serial TFT. Anti TPO antibody positivity is an effective, less invasive indicator for detecting AIT in children, compared to FNAC which is the gold standard.

Cutaneous adverse effects due to personal protective measures during COVID-19 pandemic: a study of 101 patients.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral illness caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 which spreads via droplets from an infected person. There has been an unprecedented rise in the use of personal protective equipment and practice of personal hygiene measures against COVID-19. The extended use of protective measures (PM) can lead to ill effects on the skin. Our aim was to investigate PM-induced dermatoses amongst healthcare workers and the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 2months. The study subjects were patients who presented to dermatology outpatient clinics or sought teleconsultation for skin problems related to the use of PMs against COVID-19. A detailed history was obtained and cutaneous examination was documented for all the patients in a pre-set proforma. Diagnoses of the adverse skin effects were formulated based upon history and clinical examination. A total of 101 cases with cutaneous adverse effects due to the use of PMs against COVID-19 were included in the study. The general population and healthcare workers were affected similarly, comprising of 54.5% and 45.5%, respectively. The mean age of the study participants was 36.71±15.72years. The most common culprit material was soap and water (56.4%). Contact dermatitis was found to be the most common adverse effect in the majority of our patients (72.3%). The most common symptom reported was pruritus (45.5%). The wearing of personal protective equipment for a longer duration was significantly associated with multiple symptoms (P=0.026). The enhanced use of different PMs against COVID-19 can result in a variety of adverse skin effects. In our study, the use of soap and water was the most common culprit PM, and contact dermatitis was the most common adverse effect noted.

Health Seeking Behavior and Cost of Care of Chronic Dermatophytosis: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Recent trend in onslaught of chronic and recurrent dermatophytosis not amenable to conventional dose and duration of antifungal agents has been observed in Nepal and India. The major factor implicated behind this surge is use of over-the-counter fixed drug combination containing topical steroids. This study aimed to examine the health seeking behavior, pattern of drug use and cost of care of chronic dermatophytosis in Nepalese population. Ninety-one patients with the diagnosis of chronic dermatophytosis of skin willing to participate in the study were recruited in a hospital-based, cross-sectional study. Information regarding demographic profile, health seeking behavior and cost incurred in the treatment of their dermatophytosis were recorded in a preset proforma. Mean age of study population was 30.49±13.50 years with M:F ratio of 2.25:1. Mean duration of illness was 20.68±6.44 months, with groin as the initial site of involvement in nearly half of cases. Commonest diagnoses were extensive dermatophytosis, followed by tinea cruris et corporis and tinea cruris. Nearly three-forth of patients reported seeking advice from local pharmacy and two-third reported using steroid containing topical agents for their skin problem. On an average, patients spent NPR 6,488.70 in a six months period and 3.03% of their income in the treatment of chronic dermatophytosis. This study highlighted the tendency of patients to seek advice from pharmacy dispensers, use of topical steroid containing agents in chronic dermatophytosis and substantial financial burden borne by patients in the treatment of the condition.

Descriptive study on the clinical profile and demography of patients with chronic folliculitis of leg attending a tertiary referral center

Objectives: The objectives are as follows: (1) To document the clinical profile and demography of patients attending a tertiary referral institution with chronic folliculitis of leg and (2) to document the bacteriological profile of pustular lesions of chronic folliculitis. Materials and Methods: After obtaining clearance from institutional research and ethics committees, consecutive patients who attended our tertiary care center with clinically diagnosed chronic folliculitis of the leg from December 1, 2016, to November 30, 2017, were included in this cross-sectional study. The data regarding patient characteristics and clinical profile of disease were collected using a preset pro forma. Pus culture and sensitivity study was carried out in all patients who had pustules at presentation. The association between duration of disease and extent of disease and duration of disease and clinical grading was evaluated by Pearson’s Chi-square analysis. Results: The study population comprised 39 (78%) males and 11 (22%) females with male to female ratio of 3.5:1. Study participants ranged in age from 16 to 67 years. In 15/24 (62.5%) patients who manifested pustules, pus culture isolated pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, sensitive to cloxacillin in 14 (58.3%) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus in one (4.2%). Limitations: A study conducted in a tertiary referral center not reflecting the disease profile in the community was the major limitation. Conclusion: Staphylococcus aureus sensitive to common antibiotics like cloxacillin being the most common pathogen isolated from pustular lesions signifies the need for more prospective studies with a large sample size to evaluate the role of environmental factors and individual’s immune system in maintaining the inflammation in chronic folliculitis of the leg.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viral infections in pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Tertiary care centre

Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are one of the two major viruses causing serious maternal and fetal complications in all the pregnant women with high mother to child transmission rates causing a severe disease burden on th society as well.The study aimed at identifying the seroprevalence &amp; sociodemographic factors associated with HBV and HCV positive pregnant women.A total of 9628 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of the institute from a period of one year were screened for HCV and HBV infections through rapid kit followed by confirmation with ELISA. Details were noted in a preset proforma and data thus analysed by SPSS VERSION 10.Seroprevalence rate of HBV was found to be 0.72% and that of HCV was 1.25%. Most of them were asymptomatic and unaware of the infection. The mean age of women with HBV infection was 27.89 and that of HCV was 25.7.Majority of them were multiparous and belong to rural areas.The prevalence of HCV is more than that of HBV among antenatal women.

Importance of the human cadaveric dissection for learning anatomy by the first year MBBS students – An observational study

Medical as well as paramedical students are first exposed to the subject of Anatomy and cadaveric dissection during commencement of their studies. The cadaveric dissection is said to be an essential component to the anatomy curriculum. In recent times, with advancing technologies newer methods of learning anatomy have also been introduced. The objective of the present study was to evaluate and understand the approach, understanding and views of the first year medical students towards the cadaveric dissection as well as its impact. This study was conducted on a cohort of the first year medical student, where a total of 324 students of first year MBBS were recruited and circulated a preset proforma of questions in the form of two separate questionnaires. The responses of the students were recorded and analyzed. It was observed that 97% of the students considered the cadaveric dissection an integral part of the anatomy curriculum. Majority of them were of the view that newer technologies are not superior to the traditional dissection. Various symptoms were found to be less prevalent amongst the students which could be the result of prior counseling. Cadaveric dissection remains an inseparable part of the first year anatomy curriculum. Students are of view that it is the best method to learn anatomy. Newer methods to learn anatomy could be additional aids to facilitate the anatomy learning, but cannot replace cadaveric dissection. Practice of counseling of the students before the first exposure to cadavers eases the emotional and physical impact up to a great extent.

Survival of Children with Acute Leukaemia: A Single Centre Experience

Introduction: Acute leukaemia in children accounts for 25-30% of malignant diagnosis. Survival from acute leukaemia continue to improve. Treatment outcome depends on factors like gender, age at diagnosis, parental education, the initial total white cell count (TWC), cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) infiltration, immunophenotype and treatment response. Objectives: The objectives were to evaluate the survival of children with acute leukaemia who received chemotherapy and identify relevant factors. Methodology: The study was a retrospective record review at the Paediatric Oncology Unit, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (Hospital USM). The data collected depending on pre-set research proforma from the year 1990 to 2010. Survival analysis of each type of leukaemia was completed using multiple Cox regression model. Results: A total of 334 cases were identified, only 283 patients received treatment at Hospital USM. There were 224 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and 59 with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Overall survival (OS) rate at 3 months for ALL and AML were 89.3% and 72.9% respectively. The event-free survival (EFS) rate for ALL at 1, 3, and 5 years were 69.6%, 54.1% and 47.8% respectively. For AML, the EFS rate at 1, 3, and 5 years were 52.0%, 42.4% and 38.1% respectively. Multiple Cox regression model showed children’s age at diagnosis and early response to steroid therapy were the most significant prognostic factors for ALL survival, whereas the spleen size and treatment protocol were the most significant prognostic factors for AML. Conclusion: Survival rate in this study was comparable to developing countries. ALL had better outcome compared to AML.

A study on the presenting features observed in 100 patients of atopic dermatitis in a tertiary care hospital in North-Eastern India

Atopic dermatitis is a relatively common age-related disease. Its pathophysiology is majorly insubstantial. Also, it appears as a result of interplay of maternal and inheritance, intrauterine and environmental factors. Also, immune dysregulation has an important role.To study the presenting features of atopic dermatitis.100 patients of atopic dermatitis which were diagnosed on the basis of modified UK working party criteria, after which clinical presentations were noted in a preset proforma.78% were in the age group of 2-12 years, of which 65% were males and 35% were females.Atopic dermatitis is a distinct, overt, age and IgE-related entity frequently showing different demographic and clinical presentations.

Rosacea: do microbes have some role in its causation? A cross-sectional study from North-East India

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Rosacea is a common inflammatory disease affecting the centrofacial skin. The etiopathogenesis is unknown and the disease follows a chronic course. It causes great social discomfort and reduces quality of life.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; A cross sectional study was conducted from October 2011 to September 2013 in the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal, Manipur and all the patients diagnosed with rosacea were included. A detailed history and clinical examination were done and recorded in a preset proforma. Potassium hydroxide mount of skin scrapings and Gram stain as well as culture from lesion and control were performed.&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; A total of 72 patients were included with female predominance. The mean age of the patients was 31.64±9.623 years. Sun exposure (70.8%) was the commonest exacerbating factor followed by fried spicy food (69.4%). Persistent erythema was seen in most of the patients (97.2%) and ETR was the commonest subtype (65.3%). Associated ocular manifestations were present in 4.2% of patients. The prevalence of &lt;em&gt;Demodex&lt;/em&gt; mite was found to be higher in lesional skin as compared to the control. Culture from both lesion and control showed predominant growth of coagulase-negative staphylococcus (87% and 78.3% respectively).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; Rosacea is a multifactorial disorder with diverse clinical spectrum. Elimination of the triggering factors may help in controlling the flares and improve the quality of life.&lt;/p&gt;

A Clinical Comparision between Ropivacaine-Clonidine Combination and Ropivacaine (Plain) in Brachial Plexus Block by Supraclavicular Approach

Background: Ropivacaine is a long-acting amide local anaesthetic agent and first produced as a pure enantiomer. It produces effects similar to other local anaesthetics via reversible inhibition of sodium ion influx in nerve fibres. Ropivacaine is less lipophilic than bupivacaine and is less likely to penetrate large myelinated motor fibres, resulting in a relatively reduced motor blockade. Thus, ropivacaine has a greater degree of motor sensory differentiation, which could be useful when motor blockade is undesirable. The reduced lipophilicity is also associated with decreased potential for central nervous system toxicity and cardiotoxicity. Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted on 60 patients undergoing upper limb surgeries aged between 18 to 55 years under supraclavicular block and informed written consent was taken. Result values were recorded using a preset proforma. Results: The mean duration of motor block in group RC was 10.10+/- 0.68 hours and the group R was 6.69+/- 0.65 hours. The statistical analysis by students unpaired „t‟ test showed that the difference between duration of motor block in group RC was significantly longer when compared to group R (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The addition of Clonidine (150µg) as an adjuvant to Ropivacaine (0.75%) has faster onset of sensory and motor block and longer duration of sensory and motor block.