Tertiary Care Center Research Articles

Acute Coxiella burnetii Infection: A 10-Year Clinical Experience at a Tertiary Care Center in the United States

Abstract Background Identifying and treating patients with acute Q fever who are at an increased risk of progressing to persistent disease is crucial for preventing future complications. In this study, we share our decade-long clinical experience with acute Q fever, highlighting the challenges clinicians encounter from making an initial diagnosis and risk stratification to determining the appropriate prophylaxis regimen and duration. Methods We retrieved records of adult (≥ 18 years) Mayo Clinic patients with positive Coxiella burnetii serologies between January 1, 2012, and March 31, 2022. Patients with Q fever anti-phase II IgG ≥ 1:256 by indirect immunofluorescence were further analyzed. Results Thirty-one patients were included. Their median age was 58 years (IQR 50-64), and the majority were men (84%). Acute hepatitis (29%), flu-like illness (25.8%) and pneumonia (16%) were the most common presentations. Thirteen patients (42%) received antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent disease progression, with significant variation in the indications and duration across physicians. The combination of doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine was the preferred regimen. Prophylaxis was administered for a median of 333 days (IQR 168-414). Four patients (13%) progressed to Q fever native valve infective endocarditis with elevated anticardiolipin (aCL) IgG levels being the sole risk factor in two cases. The small sample size precluded drawing conclusions on the impact of prophylaxis in preventing disease progression. Conclusion Management of acute Q fever is complicated by the lack of comprehensive clinical guidelines leading to varied clinical practices. There is a critical need for randomized trials to establish robust, evidence-based protocols for management.

Determinants of Outcomes in Convulsive Status Epilepticus: An Observational Study at a Tertiary Care Center in North India

Determinants of Outcomes in Convulsive Status Epilepticus: An Observational Study at a Tertiary Care Center in North India

Breast lymphomas: Clinical and pathological insights from a tertiary cancer care center in India.

Breast lymphomas are a rare group of malignancies that are further subdivided into primary and secondary. AIMS: To study the pathological and clinical course of breast lymphomas. This is a retrospective analysis of patients treated at our institute over a period of 4.5 years from September 2018 to February 2023. The details of all the patients diagnosed with breast lymphoma were reviewed and analysed for the histomorphological, immunohistochemical, clinical, and treatment details. Appropriate statistical analysis including Kaplan-Meier methods was used. Out of 11 cases of breast lymphoma, five were primary and six were secondary. It was seen predominantly in females (82%) and the age range was 31 to 73 years. Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was the predominant morphology (73%), along with single rare cases of ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, and small lymphocytic lymphoma. The treatment details were analyzed for 7 patients. The median follow-up was 28 months. Rituximab along with CHOP regimen or its variants was commonly used as first-line treatment with initial response rates of 71%. The median progression-free survival was 5 months. The median overall survival was 15 months. Lymphomas of the breast are rare but it is crucial to differentiate them from the commoner breast carcinomas as the treatment and prognosis vary vastly.

Cost Analysis of Bladder Catheterization After Pelvic Floor Surgery.

Approximately 15-45% of female patients develop transient postoperative urinary retention (POUR) following pelvic reconstructive surgery. Catheter options for bladder drainage include transurethral indwelling catheter (TIC), intermittent self-catheterization (ISC), and suprapubic tube (SPT). Each strategy has risks and benefits; none have been shown to be clinically superior, and to date, no comprehensive comparative economic analysis has been published. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost of these different bladder catheterization strategies after transvaginal pelvic surgery. A Canadian universal single-payer (government funded) health system perspective was taken, and a decision tree model was constructed to evaluate the costs associated with each catheterization strategy over a 6-week horizon. Base-cases were set based on recently published clinical data of our institutions, 2 academic tertiary care centers, and based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Costs were established in consultation with process stakeholders, in addition to published values. The average cost calculated for management of transient POUR after outpatient pelvic reconstructive surgery was 150.69 CAD (median 154.86; interquartile range [IQR] 131.30-176.33) for TIC, 162.28 CAD (median 164.72; IQR 144.36-189.39) for ISC and 255.67 CAD (median 270.63; IQR 234.32-276.82) for SPT. In costing inpatient surgical data, the average cost calculated was 134.22 CAD (median 123.61; IQR 108.87-151.85) for TIC and 224.61 CAD (median 216.07; IQR 203.86-231.23) for SPT. TIC and ISC were found to be significantly less costly than SPT in managing transient POUR following transvaginal pelvic reconstructive surgery.

A Pilot Real-World Study of Ultrasonography Findings of Hidradenitis Suppurativa in Indian Patients and Its Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications

Abstract Introduction Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory follicular disorder affecting apocrine gland-bearing areas of the body. We conducted an observational study to assess the ultrasonography (USG) findings in suspected HS patients at a tertiary care center in North India over 6 months. Aim The aim of this article was to study the USG findings in HS and correlate clinical and USG findings and scoring systems in HS with stage wise treatments. Materials and Methods All patients with a clinical suspicion of HS underwent an USG examination after clinical examination with a probe of 18 Hz frequency. Hurley's staging of patients was used to stage clinically, and the HS-SOS scoring and Doppler changes were assessed on USG. The treatment was revised in case of a change in the USG grading of severity. Results A total of 23 patients suspected of HS underwent USG evaluation, of which 12 (52%) were male and 9 (48%) were females, with the mean age being 25.3 years (range: 14–40 years). Based on the HS clinical grading, eleven patients (47.8%) were Hurley's stage I, six patients (26%) were stage II, and six patients (26%) were stage III. USG demonstrated that three patients had been misdiagnosed and had folliculitis (8.6%) and Crohn's disease (4.3%). Out of the remaining twenty patients with USG features of HS, based on HS SOS grading, three patients (15%) were grade I, seven (35%) were grade II, and ten (50%) were grade III. Of these, nineteen patients (95%) had axillary involvement, which was bilateral in 84% of cases. The other region affected was the groin in five patients (26.3%), while two had inframammary involvement (10.5%). On further characterization of the type of lesion, nodules (41; 40.6%) were the most common type of lesion by sinuses and thickened hair follicles in 31 (30.6%) patients. Based on USG findings, the management of 26% of patients was changed from medical to surgical intervention. Conclusion USG and Doppler are noninvasive bedside tools for the examination of HS, which helps to rule out differentials and delineate the extent and depth of the disease better by picking up subclinical lesions and help in determining disease activity by Doppler, which in turn helps in planning appropriate medical and surgical management of patients. It also identifies radiological parameters that help identify patients who could fail medical management.

Cardiogenic shock following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in women: complications and outcomes

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements None. Background Differences in women’s prognosis have been described for both ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and cardiogenic shock (CS). These might reflect asymmetries in clinical management, but also gender-specific comorbidities and pathologic mechanisms. Purpose We aimed to evaluate the risk of in-hospital complications and mid-term outcomes of women with CS following STEMI. Methods We retrospectively studied STEMI patients treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from 2008 to 2017 in a tertiary care centre, presenting or evolving in Killip class IV (defined as cardiogenic shock or hypotension and organ hypoperfusion). Clinical and demographic characteristics, as well as complications and outcomes, were collected. Major adverse cardio-cerebrovascular events (MACCE) at 1-year follow-up was a composite of death, cerebrovascular accident, new myocardial infarction in any vessel, or target lesion revascularization. Results Among 1131 patients presenting with STEMI, our study included 117 (10.3%) patients in CS, of which 40 (34.2%) were women. Women were older [71.8(±13.4) vs 64.6(±11.72) years, p=0.002] and less frequently smokers (25.0% vs 50.7%, p=0.008). Prevalence of classic cardiovascular risk factors, namely diabetes (34,1% vs 39.2%, p=0.860), hypertension (71.5% vs 60.8%, p=0.212), and dyslipidaemia (47.5% vs 70.0%, p=0.799), was the same for both groups. Body mass index was also similar [26.6(±5.2) vs 26.1(±3.4) kg/m2, p=0.539]. Women had lower haemoglobin [12.4(±1.9) vs 13.8(±1.9) g/dl, p<0.001] and lower creatinine clearance at admission [52.4(±30.6) vs 67.3(±29.4) ml/min, p=0.017]. Door-to-balloon times [80(59-180) vs 68(48-105) min, p=0.302], total ischemic time [210(120-360) vs 203(120-476) min, p=0.302] and prevalence of anterior STEMI (35.0% vs 50.0%, p=0.123) were not significantly different between sexes. The prevalence of in-hospital complications was generally similar for both sexes (Table 1), except for the risk of advanced atrioventricular (AV) block that was higher in women (32.5% vs 10.7%, p=0.004). Also, haemoglobin nadir was lower in women [10.6(±2.1) vs 11.7(±2.1) g/dl, p=0.023]. In a 1-year follow-up, the occurrence of MACCE was similar for both sexes (60.0% vs 59.7%, log-rank P 0.734) (Figure 1). Conclusion Women with STEMI complicated by CS submitted to PCI had a similar prevalence of in-hospital complications as men. Also, mid-term outcomes, assessed by MACCE at 1 year, did not differ between groups.

Mitigation of Effect Modification by Psychological Status in Patients with Hearing Loss

Although patient-reported outcomes provide valuable insights, these subjective data may not align with objective test results. Hearing loss is a pervasive problem, such that concordance between subjective perceptions of hearing ability and objective audiogram assessments would be beneficial. To determine (1) whether psychological status is an effect modifier of the association between subjective patient reports of hearing ability and objective audiometry results, and (2) whether any effect modification observed in standard static questionnaires would be either mitigated or exacerbated by adaptive testing based on Item Response Theory analyses. This diagnostic study at a tertiary care center and community-based practice included consecutive adults who presented with queries related to hearing loss. Participants were recruited and enrolled and data analyses occurred from 2022 to 2024. Participants prospectively reported their hearing-specific abilities through either a standard static or adaptive version of the Inner Effectiveness of Auditory Rehabilitation (EAR) scale, alongside validated measures of their mental health and audiometry. Word recognition scores (WRS) and pure tone averages (PTA) were used to analyze audiometric testing. The association between subjective Inner EAR results and audiometry was evaluated. Stratified analyses were used to assess for effect modification by psychological status. The results of standard static and adaptive testing were compared. In this study of 395 patients (mean [range] age, 55.9 [18-89] years; 210 [53.2%] female), standard static Inner EAR mean scores were appropriately higher in patients with higher (better) WRS (50.7, 95% CI, 46.4-54.9), compared with patients with lower (worse) WRS (34.7, 95% CI, 24.3-45.1). However, among patients with worse mental health, there was no association between standard static Inner EAR scores and WRS. In contrast, adaptive Inner EAR mean scores were significantly higher for those with better WRS, regardless of mental health status. Thus, effect modification was observed in standard static assessments, whereas adaptive testing remained durably associated with audiometry, regardless of mental health. Psychological status was an effect modifier of the association between standard Inner EAR scale scores and audiometry, with a positive association observed only in those with better mental health. Adaptive testing scores, however, remained significantly associated with audiometry, even when mental status was worse. Adaptive testing may stabilize the association between subjective and objective hearing outcomes.

Socio-Demographic and Clinical Profile of Patients Attending Geriatric Clinic Over Five Years: A Retrospective, Hospital Based Study

Background: Population ageing is an inescapable and irreversible phenomenon, increasing the burden on the health care system. Mental illnesses in the geriatric population are unique and identification of the same amidst the co-morbidities is a challenging task. Objectives: To assess the difference in the clinical and sociodemographic profile of patients attending Geriatric Clinic in a tertiary care centre over five years. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients, who attended the Geriatric Clinic of a tertiary care centre in 2012 and 2016 was conducted. The psychiatric diagnoses were made according to the ICD-10 diagnostic guidelines. Sociodemographic variables and clinical variables including social support were assessed. Data were analysed by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 16 version and Microsoft Excel Version 2007. Results: The total number of patients attending Geriatric clinics were 31 and 147 in 2012 and 2016 respectively. The mean age of patients attending the geriatric clinic was 74.32±7.89 in 2012 and 71.88±6.76 in 2012. The difference between the study group was statistically significant with regard to religion, marital status, socio-economic status and location of residence.64.52% of the study population had average social support in 2012 and a statistically significant decline was noticed in 2016.The most common psychiatric diagnoses were organic mental disorders (93.55%) in 2012 and mood disorders (40.82%) in 2016. Cardiovascular diseases were most common medical co-morbidity seen among the geriatric patients in both the years. Conclusions: Psychiatric illness in geriatric population is often associated with medical co-morbidities. With the increase in longevity, awareness and identification of symptoms can decrease significant morbidity and improve the quality of life. Keywords: Ageing, psychiatric disorders, medical comorbidity

Unveiling the Effects of Diabetes on Coronary Artery Disease Through Angiography

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, particularly among patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Diabetic patients are at a higher risk of developing CAD due to factors such as poor glycemic control, lipid metabolism abnormalities, and endothelial dysfunction. Prior studies have demonstrated that diabetic patients tend to present with more extensive coronary artery involvement and worse outcomes following cardiovascular interventions. Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of T2DM on coronary angiography outcomes, specifically focusing on the incidence of multi-vessel disease and the severity of coronary artery stenosis. Methods: This observational cohort study was conducted at Lady Reding Hospital, a tertiary care center specializing in cardiovascular diseases. Participants were recruited from the outpatient cardiology clinic between January 2020 and January 2022. Inclusion criteria included patients aged 40 to 80 years undergoing coronary angiography for the first time due to suspected CAD. Exclusion criteria were previous coronary artery interventions, congenital heart disease, active infections, and renal insufficiency (creatinine > 2.0 mg/dL). Baseline characteristics such as age, gender, BMI, hypertension status, and smoking history were collected. Diabetes status was confirmed via HbA1c levels (≥6.5%). Coronary angiography was performed using standard techniques, with angiograms analyzed by two blinded cardiologists. Primary outcomes included the presence of multi-vessel disease (≥70% stenosis in two or more major coronary arteries) and the severity of stenosis (>70% blockage). Additional assessments using Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) evaluated plaque characteristics and vessel sizes in a subset of patients. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0, employing Chi-square tests for categorical variables, independent t-tests for continuous variables, and multivariable logistic regression to adjust for confounders. Results: The study included 300 participants, with 150 diabetic and 150 non-diabetic patients. Diabetic patients had a mean age of 62.3 ± 10.4 years, while non-diabetic patients had a mean age of 58.2 ± 9.8 years. The prevalence of hypertension was higher among diabetic patients (60%) compared to non-diabetic patients (40%). The incidence of multi-vessel disease was significantly higher in diabetic patients (70%) compared to non-diabetic patients (50%) (p < 0.05). Severe stenosis was observed in 65% of diabetic patients versus 45% of non-diabetic patients (p < 0.01). IVUS and OCT analyses showed a higher prevalence of lipid-rich plaques in diabetic patients (55% vs. 30%) and a smaller mean luminal diameter (2.8 ± 0.6 mm vs. 3.4 ± 0.5 mm). Conclusion: Diabetes significantly impacts the severity and extent of coronary artery disease, with diabetic patients exhibiting higher rates of multi-vessel disease and severe stenosis. Advanced imaging techniques highlighted distinct plaque characteristics in diabetic patients, underscoring the need for aggressive and personalized management strategies. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating advanced imaging and comprehensive management to mitigate cardiovascular risks in diabetic patients.

Insights into Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Associated Disease (MOGAD): Prevalence, Clinical Manifestations, and Treatment Responses in a Four-Year Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction: This study aims to delineate the prevalence, clinical characteristics, diagnostic findings, and treatment outcomes of Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Associated Disease (MOGAD) in a cohort over four years, providing a basis for improved diagnostic criteria and therapeutic strategies. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care center, we analyzed medical records of 90 patients presenting with CNS demyelinating symptoms, focusing on those diagnosed with MOGAD based on the International MOGAD Panel criteria. Data on clinical presentation, serum Anti-MOG antibody testing, MRI, VEP scans, CSF analysis, and treatment outcomes were evaluated. Results: Among the cohort of 90 patients, 7 patients were identified with positive Anti-MOG antibodies, indicating a prevalence of 7.8%. Clinical manifestations varied widely, including optic neuritis, myelitis, and cerebral cortical encephalitis. Diagnostic findings highlighted the absence of oligoclonal bands in CSF analysis and diverse MRI lesions. Most patients responded well to immunosuppressive treatments, though relapses occurred in two cases. The study underscores the heterogeneity of MOGAD presentations and the importance of personalized treatment approaches. Conclusion: Our findings contribute to the growing understanding of MOGAD, emphasizing its distinct clinical and diagnostic features compared to other CNS demyelinating disorders. The study advocates for the integration of MOG antibody testing in clinical practice to enhance diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. Future research should aim at longitudinal and multicentric studies to validate our findings and further refine MOGAD management strategies.

Metabolic imaging of human cumulus cells reveals associations with pregnancy and live birth.

Can fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) detect associations between the metabolic state of cumulus cell (CC) samples and the clinical outcome of the corresponding embryos? FLIM can detect significant variations in the metabolism of CC associated with the corresponding embryos that resulted in a clinical pregnancy versus those that did not. CC and oocyte metabolic cooperativity are known to be necessary for the acquisition of developmental competence. However, reliable CC biomarkers that reflect oocyte viability and embryo developmental competency have yet to be established. Quantitative measures of CC metabolism could be used to aid in the evaluation of oocyte and embryo quality in ART. A prospective observational study was carried out. In total, 223 patients undergoing IVF with either conventional insemination or ICSI at a tertiary care center from February 2018 to May 2020 were included, with no exclusion criteria applied. This cohort had a mean maternal age of 36.5 ± 4.4 years and an average oocyte yield of 16.9 (range 1-50). One to four CC clusters from each patient were collected after oocyte retrieval and vitrified. CC metabolic state was assessed using FLIM to measure the autofluorescence of the molecules NAD(P)H and FAD+, which are essential for multiple metabolic pathways. CC clusters were tracked with their corresponding oocytes and associated embryos. Patient age, Day 3 and Day 5/6 embryo morphological grades, and clinical outcomes of embryos with traceable fate were recorded. Nine FLIM quantitative parameters were obtained for each CC cluster. We investigated associations between the FLIM parameters and patient maternal age, embryo morphological rank, ploidy, and clinical outcome, where false discovery rate P-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. A total of 851 CC clusters from 851 cumulus-oocyte complexes from 223 patients were collected. Of these CC clusters, 623 were imaged using FLIM. None of the measured CC FLIM parameters were correlated with Day 3 morphological rank or ploidy of the corresponding embryos, but FAD+ FLIM parameters were significantly associated with morphological rank of blastocysts. There were significant differences for FAD+ FLIM parameters (FAD+ fraction engaged and short lifetime) from CC clusters linked with embryos resulting in a clinical pregnancy compared with those that did not, as well as for CC clusters associated with embryos that resulted in a live birth compared those that did not. Our data are based on a relatively low number of traceable embryos from an older patient population. Additionally, we only assessed CCs from 1 to 4 oocytes from each patient. Future work in a younger patient population with a larger number of traceable embryos, as well as measuring the metabolic state of CCs from all oocytes from each patient, would provide a better understanding of the potential utility of this technology for oocyte/embryo selection. Metabolic imaging via FLIM is able to detect CC metabolic associations with maternal age and detects variations in the metabolism of CCs associated with oocytes leading to embryos that result in a clinical pregnancy and a live birth versus those that do not. Our findings suggest that FLIM of CCs may be used as a new approach to aid in the assessment of oocyte and embryo developmental competence in clinical ART. National Institutes of Health grant NIH R01HD092550-03 (to C.R., and D.J.N.). Becker and Hickl GmbH and Boston Electronics sponsored research with the loaning of equipment for FLIM. D.J.N. and C.R. are inventors on patent US20170039415A1. N/A.

Comparison of Surgical Outcomes between Endoscopeassisted Evacuation and Conventional Burr Hole Aspiration of Brain Abscess at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Brain abscess is a major health problem with a reasonable morbidity and mortality rate. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy between endoscope-assisted evacuations of brain abscess with burr hole aspiration method in a tertiary health care center. Methodology: This non-randomized clinical trial was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period of July 2016 to December 2017. Patients with the age group of more than or equal to 18 years of both gender presented with brain abscess were enrolled in this study. The endoscope-assisted evacuation of abscess was done on group A patients and burr hole aspiration was done on group B patients. Outcome of the patients was assessed using GCS and MRC muscle power grading and by GOS. Patients were evaluated by contrast enhanced CT scan of head at pre-operative, 1st and 30th postoperative day. Both groups received best available medical treatment along with surgery. Results: The mean age of was 13.0 ± 6.3 years in burr hole group and is 13.1 ± 6.4 years in endoscope-assisted group. The patients presented with GCS was 66.7% in burr hole group and 93.3% in endoscope assisted group. The study showed e”75.0% evacuation of brain abscess at 1st post-operative day in 13(92.9%) patients in endoscope-assisted group and 5(33.3%) patients in burr hole group. The study showed mortality rate of 6.7% in both the groups. Mean residual volume at 30th post operative day was 0.75ml in endoscope-assisted group and 1.75ml in burr hole aspiration group. Conclusion: In conclusion endoscope-assisted procedure has better rate of abscess evacuation, less chance of residual and repeated surgeries than conventional burr hole. Bang. J Neurosurgery 2023; 13(1): 14-19

Testosterone therapy does not affect coagulation in male hypogonadism: a longitudinal study based on thrombin generation.

Testosterone therapy has been variably associated with increased thrombotic risk but investigations of global coagulation in this setting are lacking. To compare global coagulation of hypogonadal men before (T0) and 6 months after (T1) starting testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), and healthy controls. Observational prospective cohort study. Two tertiary endocrinological ambulatory care centers. Thirty-eight men with hypogonadism (mean age 55, SD 13) and 38 age-matched healthy controls. Thrombin generation assay (TGA) was performed at T0 and T1 in hypogonadal men and in controls. TGA is an in vitro procedure based on the continuous registration of thrombin generation and decay under conditions mimicking the process that occurs in vivo. The following TGA parameters were recorded: lag-time; thrombin-peak concentration; time-to-reach the peak, velocity index and endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), the latter representing the total amount of thrombin generated under the driving forces of procoagulants opposed by the anticoagulants. PC, antithrombin, factor (F)VIII, and fibrinogen were assessed. No changes of TGA parameters were observed between T0 and T1. Hypogonadal men displayed significantly higher ETP, fibrinogen, and significantly lower antithrombin levels both at T0 and T1 compared to controls. Thrombin-peak of hypogonadal men was significantly higher than controls at T0 but not at T1. ETP and antithrombin were correlated with testosterone levels. Hypogonadal men display a procoagulant imbalance detected by increased thrombin generation. Short-term TRT does not worsen global coagulation, suggesting that the treatment can be safely prescribed to men diagnosed with hypogonadism.

Impact of medication dosage on Helicobacter pylori eradication rates among pediatric patients.

Helicobacter pylori rates of eradication to common first-line regimens continue to decline globally. Prescription of the appropriate medication dosage is an important consideration, particularly in the pediatric population due to medication weight-based dosing. Limited data is available on the impact of guideline-recommended weight-based dosing on the successful eradication of H. pylori in children. Retrospective study of patients with histologic evidence of H. pylori from two pediatric tertiary care centers in New England. We excluded patients who were not treated or those missing eradication data. We compared the eradication rates of patients prescribed recommended weight-based dosages, duration, and frequency of treatment with those who were not. One hundred forty-four patients were included. The overall eradication rate was 73.6% (106/144). All treatment regimens were properly prescribed for 14 days. There was a high rate of improper weight-based dosing: proton pump inhibitor (PPI) 31.2% (45/144), amoxicillin 31.7% (39/123), metronidazole (MET) 19.4% (12/62), clarithromycin (CLA) 23.9% (22/70), tetracycline 50% (6/12), bismuth 26.1% (6/23). When PPIs were properly weight-dosed, there was a 78.8% eradication rate that dropped to 62.2% with suboptimal dosing (p = 0.036, OR: 2.26, CI: 1.04-4.87). When amoxicillin was properly weight-dosed, successful eradication was achieved in 81% versus only 53.8% when improperly dosed (p = 0.002; OR: 3.64, CI: 1.58-8.37). There was no statistically significant impact on eradication rates with improper weight-based dosing of MET, CLA, tetracycline, or bismuth. Proper weight-based dosing of amoxicillin and PPI is important for the successful eradication of H. pylori among children in the New England area.

DIABETES-RELATED SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH MICROVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS: A STUDY FROM TERTIARY CARE CENTER IN SOUTH KERALA

Objectives: (1) The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of sexual dysfunction (SD) among patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus attending the General Medicine and Endocrinology Department at a tertiary care center in south Kerala. (2) To assess the relationship between erectile dysfunction and the microvascular consequences of Type 2 diabetes. (3) To correlate SD with glycemic status. Methods: One hundred and twenty patients with Type 2 diabetes at a tertiary care center in south Kerala participated in the cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was employed to document demographic and glycemic status. The assessment tools utilized included the International Index of Erectile Function for male and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scoring questionnaire for females. The statistical analysis employed included unpaired t-tests for students and tests assessing the equality of proportions. Results: About 65% of patients with diabetes mellitus had SD. About 46% of female participants and 78.6% of male participants in the study population had SD. Duration of diabetes, poor glycemic status, and microvascular complications correlated with SD. Conclusion: SD is frequent in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Glycemic control determines the development of SD. It is advisable to screen patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus for SD as a proactive measure for early intervention and management.

The Safety of Pediatric Bedside Tracheostomy.

Traditionally, pediatric tracheostomy has been viewed as a technically demanding procedure with a high complication rate, requiring the routine use of a formal operating room. Pediatric bedside tracheostomy in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting has not been widely reported, in contrast to the widespread adult bedside ICU tracheostomy. Transport of these critically ill, multiple life support systems dependent patients can be technically difficult, labor intensive, and potentially risky for these patients. Our study aimed to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of bedside tracheostomy in the pediatric ICU. A retrospective analysis of all pediatric patients undergoing tracheostomy at a tertiary care center, between 1st of January 2013 and 31st of December 2019. During the study period, 117 pediatric patients underwent tracheostomy, 57 (48.7%) were performed bedside while 60 (51.3%) were performed in the operating room. Patients' ages ranged from 2 weeks to 17 years of age, with a median age of 16 months. No case of bedside tracheostomy necessitated a shift to the operating room. There was no difference in 30-day morbidity and mortality between the 2 groups. Our results suggest that pediatric open bedside tracheostomy in an ICU setting is a safe procedure, with similar complications and outcomes compared to tracheostomy performed in the operating room.

Exploring the Role of Metabolic Hormones in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of motor neurons. Emerging evidence suggests a potential link between metabolic dysregulation and ALS pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between metabolic hormones and disease progression in ALS patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 44 ALS patients recruited from a tertiary care center. Serum levels of insulin, total amylin, C-peptide, active ghrelin, GIP (gastric inhibitory peptide), GLP-1 active (glucagon-like peptide-1), glucagon, PYY (peptide YY), PP (pancreatic polypeptide), leptin, interleukin-6, MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), and TNFα (tumor necrosis factor alpha) were measured, and correlations with ALSFRS-R, evolution scores, and biomarkers were analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficients. Subgroup analyses based on ALS subtypes, progression pattern of disease, and disease progression rate patterns were performed. Significant correlations were observed between metabolic hormones and ALS evolution scores. Insulin and amylin exhibited strong correlations with disease progression and clinical functional outcomes, with insulin showing particularly robust associations. Other hormones such as C-peptide, leptin, and GLP-1 also showed correlations with ALS progression and functional status. Subgroup analyses revealed differences in hormone levels based on sex and disease evolution patterns, with male patients showing higher amylin and glucagon levels. ALS patients with slower disease progression exhibited elevated levels of amylin and insulin. Our findings suggest a potential role for metabolic hormones in modulating ALS progression and functional outcomes. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore the therapeutic implications of targeting metabolic pathways in ALS management.

Factors influencing gastrostomy tube feeding duration and nutrition outcomes in pediatric patients with Down syndrome: A descriptive cohort study.

Feeding difficulty is widely recognized in patients with Down syndrome, and many patients require gastrostomy tube (G-tube) placement for nutrition. No reliable factors have been identified to predict the expected duration of G-tube feeds in patients with Down syndrome. This descriptive cohort study aimed to determine the factors affecting the duration of G-tube feeds. We also investigated change in body mass index (BMI) from G-tube placement to discontinuation. Medical records of patients with Down syndrome seen by a pediatric gastroenterologist at a tertiary care center between September 1986 and December 2021 were reviewed. Data collection included demographics, anthropometrics, comorbidities, and feeding route. Comparison was performed between patients who discontinued G-tube feeds and those who did not. Two hundred twenty patients (45% female) were included. The median age at G-tube placement was 5 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 0.2-1.3 years). There were 113 (51%) patients who discontinued G-tube feeds, after a median duration of 31.6 months (IQR: 15.6-55.7 months). Tracheostomy was the only covariant associated with a longer duration of G-tube feeds (158 months vs 53 months; P = 0.002). Neither age at G-tube placement nor any comorbidities were associated with BMI status at discontinuation of G-tube. In our cohort of patients with Down syndrome, age at placement of G-tube did not impact the duration of G-tube feeds. Most patients who had a G-tube placed were likely to require enteral feeds for at least 1 year. Those who had a tracheostomy needed their G-tube for a longer time.

A Clinicopathologic Study of Urinary Bladder Lesions Amongst North Indian Population: An Experience From a Tertiary Care Centre

A Clinicopathologic Study of Urinary Bladder Lesions Amongst North Indian Population: An Experience From a Tertiary Care Centre

Robot-Assisted Video Endoscopic Inguinal Lymph Node Dissection for Penile Cancer: An Indian Multicenter Experience.

Objective: To report outcomes of multicenter series of penile cancer patients undergoing robot-assisted video endoscopic inguinal lymph node dissection (RA-VEIL). Materials and Methods: In this retrospective analysis from 3 tertiary care centers in India, consecutive intermediate-/high-risk carcinoma penis (CaP) patients with nonpalpable inguinal lymphadenopathy and/or nonbulky (<3 cm) mobile inguinal lymphadenopathy undergoing RA-VEIL were included. Patients with matted/bulky (>3 cm) and fixed lymphadenopathy were excluded. Demographic, clinical, and intraoperative data were recorded. Perioperative complications were graded by the Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC). The International Society of Lymphology (ISL) {0-III} grading was used for the assessment of lymphedema. Incidence and pattern of recurrences were assessed on follow-up. Results: From January 1, 2011, to September 30, 2023, 115 patients (230 groins) underwent bilateral RA-VEIL for CaP. The median age of the cohort was 60 (50-69) years. Clinically palpable (either unilateral or bilateral) inguinal lymphadenopathy was seen in 54 patients (47%). The "per groin" median operative time was 120 (100-140) minutes with median lymph node yield of 12 (9-16). No complications were recorded in 87.8% groins operated, with major complications (CDC 3) seen in 2.6% groins. At a median follow-up of 13.5 months, 13 patients had documented recurrences and there were 10 cancer-related deaths. No port-site recurrences were observed. No/minimal lymphedema (ISL 0/I) was seen in 94% legs. Conclusion: RA-VEIL demonstrates safety and oncologic efficacy in penile cancer patients presenting with clinically nonpalpable and/or nonbulky inguinal lymphadenopathy, with favorable functional outcomes.