Tertiary Care Hospital In Chennai Research Articles

Quality of Life of Post Stroke Patients and their Caretaker in Chennai

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in India. Around 2 million Indians suffer from stroke everyyear in India, and the most important cause of severe adult disability. Stroke not only severely affectsan individual’s quality of life, but also their caretaker’s. This burden can result in a deterioration of thecaretaker’s health, social life, and psychological well being such as, emotional health, morale, work life,finances, social mobility, interpersonal relationship and their own family. Here in this study, the quality oflife of 50 stroke patients and their caretaker staying in a tertiary care hospital in Chennai, South India, isassessed using a pretested and validated questionnaire EuroQol EQ-5D-5L which contains questions in 5domains in which each dimensions having five response levels and The EQ-VAS scale which records therespondent’s overall current health on the day of examination on a vertical visual analogue scale from 0-100.The data were entered and coded in Microsoft Excel and analysed based on their frequency, proportion,and severity. About 80% of stroke patients return home after the acute hospitalization and at least onehalf of them require permanent or temporary help from other people in the home setting. Many caregiverssuffer from anxiety/ depression. This study will be useful in analysing the QOL of the patient’s and theircaretaker’s and provide us a new perspective in not only treating the physical aspects of stroke but also itspsychological impact.

A study to Assess the Knowledge and Practice of Staff Nurses and Postnatal Mothers on Implementation of Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chennai

Aims: Breastfeeding is considered the ideal nutrition for neonates. It not only provides the essential micronutrients and macronutrients but also helps in building a bond between the baby and the mother apart from its long term effects. For the promotion of breastfeeding several steps have been initiated by the UNICEF and WHO of which BFHI is the most important initiative. This study is to assess Knowledge and Practice regarding breastfeeding of BFHI among Nurses and postnatal mothers.
 Study Design: A non experimental descriptive study.
 Place and Duration of Study: Department of Neonatology and Department of obstetrics, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai, India. Between September 2020 and December 2020.
 Methodology: A hospital based survey was done among 40 staff nurses and 40 postnatal mothers regarding their knowledge about BFHI and breastfeeding, demonstration of practice of breastfeeding and principles of BFHI and their perceptions on factors that hinder the implementation of BFHI. Data on knowledge of baby-friendly hospital initiative and breastfeeding was collected by using a self-administered structured questionnaire and practice of breastfeeding by observation checklist. Descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation) and inferential (Chi-square, normality test, and Spearman’s rank correlation) statistics were used for data analysis with SPSS version 20.
 Results: Both the staff nurses and mothers were assed for knowledge using7 questions compared to the postnatal mothers the knowledge about BFHI and Breastfeeding was higher among the staff nurses. Successful practice of breastfeeding and principles of BFHI was studied using demonstration of proper positioning, attachment, expression of breast milk and skin to skin contact which again was higher among the staff nurses compared to the mothers. The findings show that out of 40nurses surveyed, more than (77.1%) of the respondents had a good level of knowledge and more than three-fourth had a good level of practice of breastfeeding. Among the mothers there was significantly lesser knowledge with less than half (45%) had knowledge about BFHI .Regarding the practice of breastfeeding and BFHI (89%) of the staff nurses demonstrated successful breastfeeding and principles of BFHI in comparison (75.5%) of the mothers showed successful breastfeeding. Regarding the hindrances to breastfeeding both the mothers and staff nurses had similar views.
 Conclusion: There is still lack of complete awareness of some major recommended practices in the hospitals that will promote and sustain breastfeeding. The staff nurses and postnatal mothers need to be educated further on the importance of breastfeeding and principles of BFHI. This can be achieved by promoting antenatal and lactation counseling of the mothers and training of the staff nurses on the principles of BFHI. Policy changes in educating mothers and staff nurses on promoting breastfeeding should be implemented.

English

BACKGROUND Organo phosphorous compound poisoning is one of the most common suicidal poisonings in India. The various clinical entities that determine the clinical course and outcome in the ICU of OPC poisoning patient are type of the compound and dose of poison. Delayed presentation and multi-organ failure are some of the major factors that decide the outcome of the patient. This study was conducted to assess the clinical outcome of patients with OPC poisoning on assisted ventilation and assess the various factors that determine the outcome. METHODS A prospective observational study was conducted for a period of 6 months at a government tertiary care hospital in Chennai. All patients with history and clinical signs of OPC poisoning requiring mechanical ventilation for respiratory support were included as our study subjects. Outcome of patients was measured in terms of either recovery or death and factors influencing the outcome such as type of OPC compound, amount consumed, onset and duration of respiratory muscle weakness and pseudocholinesterase levels were considered. RESULTS In the 172 subjects, 108 (62.7 %) patients were successfully extubated from mechanical ventilator and 64 (37.2 %) patients expired. Patients aged more than 40 years, patients who consumed methyl parathion with quantity of poison more than 50 ml, patients with serum cholinesterase levels less than 500, patients who were atropinised for more than 3 days and who were on mechanical ventilation for more than 3 days were the factors found to have a statistically significant association (P < .05) for causing death among patients with OPC poisoning. CONCLUSIONS The mortality among the OPC poisoning patients who were on mechanical ventilation was found to be very high. Early resuscitation of patients with OPC poisoning might reduce the morbidity and mortality. KEYWORDS Organo-Phosphorous Compound Poisoning, Mechanical Ventilation, Clinical Outcome

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Prevention of Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) among Health Care Professionals Working in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) is a common healthcare-related infection occurring in patients admitted for various ailments. Approximately 80% of hospital acquired Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are catheter associated. The purpose of the current research was to find out the level of knowledge, attitude and practice on prevention of CAUTI among healthcare professionals working in tertiary care hospital. A descriptive study was done among 95 health care working in tertiary care hospital in Chennai. The researchers administered standard questionnaire and statistically explored the knowledge, attitude, and practice levels about prevention of CAUTI among the participants. Among 95 participants, 28.4% and 71.6% of the individuals had moderately adequate knowledge and adequate knowledge about CAUTI. About 4.2% of the participants had unfavourable, 88.4% had moderately favourable and 7.4% had favourable attitude towards prevention of CAUTI. About 4.2% of the individuals had moderately adequate and 95.8% had adequate practice towards the prevention of CAUTI. There was significant correlation between attitude and practice. The professional experience of the participants showed statistically significant association with the level of practice among the demographic variables. In our present study, we found out that health care professionals had adequate knowledge, attitude, and practice on prevention of CAUTI. Medical education programs, frequent auditing with a checklist about catheter care must be conducted to maintain the achieved knowledge and practice levels.

Aerobacterial Vaginosis among Women Attending an Infertility Clinic at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chennai, India and Susceptibility Pattern of Isolates

Genital infections and subsequent vaginosis diagnosed through high vaginal swab in women is caused due to fungi or bacteria. The presented study focused on determining the types, numbers and antibacterial susceptibility pattern of aerobic bacteria causing vaginosis in 147 female patients attending infertility centre in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Candida spp. caused 17% of infections with 15.7% of vaginosis caused by E.coli, Klebsiella spp., Acinetobacter spp., Citrobacter spp. and Gram positive cocci – Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), Coagulase Negative Staphylococci(CONS), Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus spp. causing 12.9% of vaginitis in the study population. A total of 20 different antibiotics – cell wall inhibitors, protein synthesis inhibitors and nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors; were tested to determine the response of bacterial isolates by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The study result determined that the most effective drug for treating Gram positive bacterial vaginitis as per CLSI guidelines based on susceptibility pattern as: Linezolid(100%), Gentamycin(91.6%), Amikacin(87.5%),Erythromycin(79.2%), Co-Trimoxazole(72.2%), Ciprofloxacin(65.6%) and least Chloramphenicol(44.3%). High level gentamycin(83.3%) was found to be effective in treating Enterococci. The descending order of susceptibility of Gram negative aerobacteria causing vaginitis as per CLSI guidelines are: Amikacin(87.5%), Gentamycin(82.5%), Cefoperazone sulbactam (76.3%), Ciprofloxacin(68.5%), Ceftazidime(62.5%) and least Amoxyclav(25%).All Gram negative bacteria tested were susceptible to– Imipenem and Meropenem as well as Chloramphenicol. Ceftriaxone (87.5%) and Nitrofurantoin(72.3%) among other antibiotics was effective against Gram negative bacteria while all Enterobacteriaceae members were found to be resistant to tetracycline.

PREVALENCE AND ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY OF ACINETOBACTERIN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN CHENNAI, INDIA

Objective: The present study is to determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of Acinetobacter species in samples collected from patients in tertiary care hospital in Chennai.
 Methods: A total of17,827patient’s clinical samples were collected from various wards and ICUs of Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamilnadu over a period of 7 mo [between January 2020 and July 2020]. All samples were tested in the microbiology lab of Saveetha Medical College and Hospital using standard operating procedures.
 Results: Out of 17,827 samples, 2,816 were culture positive. 122 of the isolates tested positive for Acinetobacter spp.and 81.1% of the isolates belonged to Acinetobacterbaumannii. Most of the infection occurred in the age group of 21-40 y and predominantly in female patients (female, male ratio 1.9:1).General wards contributed to 54.9% of the Acinetobacter infection, followed by ICU(27%) and OPD(18%). Maximum isolates were recovered from urine(34.4%) and endotracheal secretions(29.5%).60.7% of the Acinetobacterspp were multidrug-resistant(MDR)i.e. resistant to more than 3 antibiotic group.In our study, most Acinetobactersppwere resistant to penicillin(46-100%), third and fourth generation cephalosporin (36-61.5%), carbapenems (34.4-82.8%)and quinolones(39.3-46.7%). None of the isolates were resistant to colistin. 93.4% ofisolates were sensitive to tigecycline and 87.7% sensitive to amikacin.
 Conclusion: Our study observed a high incidence of MDR inAcinetobacterspp, which is in line with most of the research findings in recent times. Most of Acinetobacterspp were resistant to penicillin, third and fourth generation cephalosporins, quinolones, carbapenems,which is alarming as it leaves fewer options for the line of treatment. Some strains were sensitive to cefepime, ceftazidime, piperacillin-tazobactam, levofloxacin, imipenem and meropenem. Considering the increasing MDR nature of Acinetobacterspp a combination of the former along with colistin, tigecycline, amikacin(which have shown more than 85% sensitivity) would need to be studied.Also, strict measures to control the spread of Acinetobacter infection, better management of antibiotics usage and newer therapeutic option for treatment need to be looked at.

Screening for the risk of diabetes among people aged 31 to 40 years using Indian' diabetic risk score among people attending medicine out-patient department of a tertiary care hospital in Chennai

Context:With an estimated 8.7% of the diabetic population in the 20 and 70 age group, diabetes is a rising problem in India. It is important to screen for diabetes, so that the incidence of diabetes and its complications can be controlled. IDRS is a simple method useful for diabetes risk screening.Aim:To assess the risk of diabetes among people aged 31–40 years and to estimate the proportion of participants at high risk for developing diabetes.Setting and Design:Cross-sectional study done among the people attending medicine out-patient department of a tertiary care Hospital in Chennai.Methods:This study was conducted among 318 participants aged 31 to 40 years. Convenient sampling method was used. IDRS questionnaire was used to assess the risk of diabetes.Statistical Analysis Used:Data was entered in excel spreadsheet and analyzed using SPSS software version 16, statistical analysis will be done using Chi square test.Results:According to IDRS, 35.2% (112) had high risk for developing diabetes, 55% (175) had moderate risk and 9.7% (31) had low risk for developing diabetes. Those subjects with family history of diabetes, increased waist circumference and increased age were found to be associated with higher risk of developing diabetes.Conclusion:In this study, majority of the participants had moderate risk (55%) and high risk (35.2%) of developing diabetes. Thus, it is necessary to bring more awareness among the people and initiation of lifestyle changes to delay the onset of diabetes and its complications.

Percutaneous Transvenous Mitral Commissurotomy in Middle Aged Indian Population- A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Mitral Stenosis (MS) is a chronic complication seen among patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD). Percutaneous Transvenous Mitral Commissurotomy (PTMC) is a non surgical intervention indicated exclusively for MS with favourable valve morphology. Aim: To determine the outcomes of PTMC in middle aged Indian population in relation to clinical and haemodynamic parameters. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, between 1994 and 2019. Study was based on analysis of data from 82 patients diagnosed with MS, that underwent successful PTMC. Patients in the age group of 40 to 60 years with symptomatic MS {Mitral Valve Area (MVA) <1.5 cm2 on echocardiogram} were included in this study. Successful PTMC was defined in terms of MVA >1.5 cm2. Participants were divided into two groups based on Wilkins score of 8 as a cut-off. The continuous variables of the study subjects were described and interpreted by averages and compared between the groups by independent t-test. The pre, post and follow-up characteristics were analysed by averages and interpreted by paired t-test and confirmed by repeated measures of ANOVA. Results: Group A with Wilkin’s score ≤8 showed better results in terms of functional status improvement [New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification], MVA, mean gradient across mitral valve and Pulmonary Arterial Pressure (PAP) with p-values <0.05 after a mean follow-up period of one year. Conclusion: Long-term outcomes of PTMC is better in patients with lower Wilkin’s score than those with higher scores in terms of functional status improvement, maintenance of MVA and mitral valve mean gradient pressure. These factors favour the optimal utilisation of PTMC as an alternative to surgery especially among middle aged population.

Impact of Occupational stress on the quality of sleep among the Nurses working in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Impact of Occupational stress on the quality of sleep among the Nurses working in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu

COVID-19 Lockdown Period: Perception of Doctors regarding Telemedicine Use for General Practice

Introduction: During this COVID-19 lockdown period, telemedicine is widely being used by doctors for continuing clinical care of patients so that physical distancing can be maintained and the risk of contracting the virus can be avoided. Aim: To assess perception of doctors regarding quality of healthcare by telemedicine as compared to traditional face to face consultation and, to assess the opinion of doctors on whether telemedicine could be an option for future practice after lockdown period. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire based cross-sectional study was conducted in which perception of doctors regarding their telemedicine usage for general practice during this lockdown period has been evaluated. The study was done during April to June 2020 among doctors working in a medical college attached to a tertiary care hospital in Chennai and using telemedicine for their practice during COVID-19 lockdown period. After collection of responses, data obtained were entered in excel sheet and analysed using SPSS version 23.0. Chi-square test was used to assess the association between different variables associated with perception regarding telemedicine usage for general practice. A p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Easy access to healthcare services can be done with telemedicine practice according to 73.7% of doctors. Nearly 60.6% of doctors like to continue telemedicine for their practice even after COVID lockdown period. Conclusion: Telemedicine has helped doctors for continuing patient care during COVID-19 pandemic, but the quality of care delivered by telemedicine consultation was not good as compared to the quality of traditional healthcare. Telemedicine could be an option for future practice of doctors if awareness regarding proper usage of telemedicine is created among patients and if guidelines regarding legal concerns in telemedicine are properly framed.

Perspectives of Students and Teaching Faculty Members Towards the New MBBS Curriculum in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chennai

Perspectives of Students and Teaching Faculty Members Towards the New MBBS Curriculum in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chennai

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.

Assessment of Selfie addiction, and Selfitis among Allied Health Sciences students of a tertiary care hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu

A selfie is a self-portrait photograph typically taken with a camera phone held in hand or supported by a selfie stick. Studies suggest that the level of selfie addiction among youngsters has been increasing over the years. is the term that is being widely used to denote selfie addiction. This study aims at assessing the level of selfie addiction and various factors associated with it, and to evaluate the relationship between selfie addiction and addictive selfie habits. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the Allied Health Science students of a tertiary care hospital in Chennai. Two hundred seventy-three students were studied by convenient sampling method. A , validated, structured and self-administered questionnaire was given, and the desired information was elicited. Chi-square test was used to test the significance (p <0.05)A total of 287 students were studied, of which 65 (22.6%) were males, and 222 (77.4%) were females. It is observed that age, year of study, the place from which they come, place of stay and father's occupation have a statistically significant relationship with selfie addiction. Most of the selfie addictive have a female preponderance. A significant portion of the youth is in the early stage of selfie addiction. it is highly essential to spread awareness about the ill effects of selfie addiction among the youngsters to curb this addiction earlier.

Study of Temporary Trends in The Pattern of Poisonings in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction:Acute Poisoning forms one of the commonest causes of emergency hospital admissions. Poisoning both accidental and intentional are a significant contributor to mortality and morbidity throughout the world.A complete review of the risk factors decreases incidence and significant morbidity and mortality rates.The present study aims to characterize contemporary trends in the pattern of poisonings in a tertiary care hospital in Chennai,Tamil Nadu. Materials and Method: The study was conducted in tertiary care hospital [Saveetha Medical College and Hospital] for a period of one year[from January 2018 to December 2018].The data was obtained retrospectively from medical case sheets and various parameters such as sex ratio,occupation,poison type,etc., were analyzed and compared with other studies . Results: The study population consists of 294 cases, among which 232 were suicidal and 62 were accidental. Female predominancy was reported in the present study, with the prevalence of poisonings more common among the age group 21-30y years.Household poisons like insecticides and rodenticides were the most commonly administered.Most of the patients admitted were skilled workers and homemakers . Conclusion: Poisoning was more common in young adults,particularly females.Insecticides and rodenticides were major causes of poisoning,with the higher incidence among skilled workers.Highly equipped treatment facilities and establishment of poisoning centers have become the need of the hour.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of “General preventive measures against health care associated infections” among medical and nursing students of a tertiary care hospital in Chennai

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of “General preventive measures against health care associated infections” among medical and nursing students of a tertiary care hospital in Chennai

Screening for Haemoglobinopathies- Better prevent than regret - A Tip of the iceberg experience in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chennai

Hemoglobinopathies are single-gene disorders with autosomal recessive inheritance constituting an important cause of morbidity and mortality, imposing a heavy psychological and economical burden on the affected families. The prevalence of Thalassemia and Haemoglobinopathies had been low previously, but now it is found increasing at a rapid pace, because of the migrant population. Since Our Hospital is located in a unique demographic location, in the outskirts of Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu state, populated by multi-ethnic and multi-linguistic residents of varying socio-economic status, we decided to instigate a random sampling study to unearth the presence of Haemoglobinopathies and Thalassemia syndromes among the patients attending our hospital, for various ailments. Hence a prospective study is conducted to screen the variants of haemoglobin by using the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) technology in Saveetha Medical College Hospital, Chennai, for a period of 18 months from May 2018 to October 2019. Out of 305 patients screened, 119 patients were identified to have Thalassemia traits/hemoglobinopathy. Among the 119 positive patients identified, most of them were unaware of the fact, that they are having a blood related genetic disorder, which could be passed on to their next generation. The major barrier in the implementation of the carrier screening programme, is the lack of knowledge about the genetic transmission of these diseases and the advantages of the carrier screening are preventing the birth of a genetically defective child. Creating awareness about the carrier screening among the reproductive population, becomes the key factor in the reduction of the prevalence of Thalassemia and Haemoglobinopathies. This study discusses an Analytical approach for Screening Thalassemia and Haemoglobinopathies and also insists on a flowchart depicting the action plans to be taken to reduce the prevalence of Thalassemia and Haemoglobinopathies.

Acute Illness Observation Scale in community acquired pneumonia in children aged 2 months to 59 months

Background: Pediatric respiratory disease remains an important cause of morbidity in both the developing and the developed world. Aim of the study is to validate Acute Illness Observation Scale (AIOS) in predicting illness severity and clinical outcome of community acquired pneumonia.Methods: This was a descriptive study done in a cohort of 248 children at the Department of Paediatrics, at a tertiary care hospital in Chennai. Children between 2 months - 59 months coming to outpatient department with suspected pneumonia, if satisfying the inclusion criteria were enrolled into the study. AIOS scoring is done on each subject on day 1, day 2, day 5 by two persons simultaneously in a reasonably quite state. Respiratory parameters, vital signs and pulseoximeter reading of each patient as in data collection form are documented.Results: Children scoring abnormally on AIOS (>10) had significantly higher frequency of severe tachypnea (p=0.001), marked chest retraction (p=0.001), grunting, cyanosis (p=0.01), lethargy, inability to drink and so on except incidence of convulsion and wheeze which didn’t have any statistical significance. Severe hypoxemia associated with cyanosis (SpO2<85) was observed in 14 children of which 92.9% (13) scored a high value on AIOS (AIOS>15). Complications were absent in those who scored <10, while maximum complications were seen in those who scored >15.Conclusions: AIOS can be used as a tool to decide on therapeutic modalities and prognosticating a child with pneumonia admitted to the hospital by a physician.

Awareness about cervical cancer and its screening amongst patient’s attenders in a tertiary care hospital in Chennai

In recent years cervical cancer has been witnessed as the second most prevalent cancer amongst females throughout the world. Sadly, regardless of the proof of methods for prevention, the majority of the females endure unscreened. The hurdles to screening include ignorance towards risk factors, manifestations, stigma, and fallacy about gynecological ailments. This research was conducted with the objective to describe the extent of awareness about cervical carcinoma and its screening among patient’s attenders who are women and are in the reproductive age group in a tertiary hospital. A cross-sectional study was conducted among patient's attenders age 15-45 years at a tertiary health care center, i.e., Saveetha Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) with a sample size of 158 and purposive sampling technique was used. Data was gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using relevant statistical tests. Out of 158 study participants at SMCH,85 (53.7%) of them have heard about cervical cancer, 88 (55.6%) are apprised of screening of cervical carcinoma and 40 (25.3%) of them have been screened for cervical carcinoma using Pap smear. Study shows that more than half of the women have a satisfactory extent of awareness regarding cervical carcinoma. However, uptake of screening services is low. These results indicate that we need to increase awareness about cervical cancer and its screening.

Urinary 1-Hydroxypyrene levels among children with asthma in Chennai, South India

Aim: To explore the potential relationship between exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and asthma exacerbation among children and also to explore the potential exposure sources of PAHs at the household level. Methods: Case-control study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Chennai among 60 participants after obtaining approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. The study was conducted from March till May 2018. Informed consent was obtained from the participants. The participants were included based on their clinical diagnosis of asthma and few participants were as used as control based on no documented history of wheeze and PEFR levels. All the participants were male children aged between 9-12 years and exclusion was done if they were reported to having congenital heart disease, surgery or chronic lung disease. They were interviewed with a standardized questionnaire to ascertain their exposure to PAHs sources. Urinary 1-OHP levels were analyzed using HPLC to determine their exposure. Results: Participants with asthma showed a higher concentration of 1-OHP (7.56mg/g) in their urine. Second-hand exposure to tobacco smoke, consumption of charred or grilled foods, use of indoor air pollutants and exposure to traffic fumes were identified as contributive factors to elevated 1-OHP levels. Conclusion: Exposure sources at household levels may play a major role in exacerbating asthma. Significant PAHs exposure was contributed through dietary habits. Further exposure monitoring studies are needed to quantify the impact of PAH exposure on respiratory health. Keywords: Polycylic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Asthma; 1-Hydroxypyrene

A Cross Sectional Study on Drug Adherence among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chennai

A Cross Sectional Study on Drug Adherence among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chennai