North Bengal Medical College

About: North Bengal Medical College is a other organization based out in Darjeeling, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 624 authors who have published 691 publications receiving 5492 citations.

Evaluation of Socio-demographic Factors for Non-compliance to Treatment in Locally Advanced Cases of Cancer Cervix in a Rural Medical College Hospital in India.

Abstract: Introduction: Carcinoma cervix is a leading cause of cancer in India. However, majority of the patients face a problem of not being able to complete the treatment. Aim: This study was an attempt to find out the important causes of this non-compliance to treatment in a rural Medical College Hospital where majority of the cancer cases are of cervical cancer. Results: Out of 144 patients studied over 2 years 88 cases could not complete the treatment. The study revealed that due old age 58.33% cases were defaulters, having many children at home meant a burden to 76.92% cases and 63.89% cases had a problem of not been able to travel a far distance of more than 100 km from home to hospital for treatment. Conclusion: These were the important factors of non-compliance and suggested more important than the issues of literacy and poor socio-economic status.

Prevalence, burden, and risk factors of migraine: A community-based study from Eastern India

Abstract: Background: Headache is common in communities; however, epidemiological research regarding its prevalence is infrequent in India. Aim: We planned to study the prevalence of migraine, its disease burden, and the associated risk factors. Setting and Design: This is an urban community study conducted in Kolkata with a cross-sectional and nested case-control design. Materials and Methods: The criteria to study headache among a representative sample (aged 20–50 years) was based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders-II. Sex- and age-matched controls without headache were evaluated for putative risk factors. The disease burden was measured as disability adjusted life years (DALY). Results: Screening of 2421 individuals revealed that the 1-year prevalence of migraine was 14.12%. Education, environmental exposure, travel, and oral contraceptives determine approximately 75% of the underlying risks. DALY showed maximum burden among women in the age range of between 30 and 34 years. Conclusion: The community-based prevalence of migraine in India is similar to that observed in other countries except Africa. The burden was maximum among women. The risk factors responsible for migraine should be addressed and institution of public health measures are warranted.

Clinico-laboratory profile of severe Plasmodium vivax malaria in a tertiary care centre in Kolkata

Abstract: Background: Vivax malaria is the most widely distributed human malaria and is responsible for up to 400 million infections every year. Recently, it has become evident that Plasmodium vivax monoinfection could also result in multiple organ dysfunction and severe life-threatening disease as seen in Plasmodium falciparum infection. Materials and Methods: The aim of this study was to note the different clinical and biochemical profiles of adult patients with the severe vivax malaria with regards to complications and outcome. This was a prospective observational study carried out at a tertiary care hospital in Kolkata over 9 month's period. Detailed history and examination findings were noted in all patients. Their clinical presentations, complications, course in ward until discharge or death was noted. Results: A total of 900 cases of vivax malaria were included in the study. Severe disease was present in 200 (22.2%) cases of malaria. There were 108 (54%) patients with single complication (SC) and 92 (46%) patients with the multiple complications (MC). Patients with SC had jaundice (48.1%) followed by cerebral involvement (25.9%), renal failure (7.4%), and pulmonary involvement (3.7%). The MC was found in various combinations and the majority (47.8%) had constellation of two different complications. The mortality rate of patients with the SC and MC was 7.4% and 34.8%. The overall mortality observed in severe vivax malaria was 20% (40/200). Conclusions: In recent years, the clinical pattern of vivax malaria has changed. Severe vivax malaria is now very common with increasing mortality. Not only the number, but also the type of complication influences the outcome of complicated malaria.

Risk factors associated with default among tuberculosis patients in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India.

Abstract: Background: The treatment outcome default under Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) is a patient who after treatment initiation has interrupted treatment consecutively for more than 2 months. Aims: To assess the timing, characteristics and distribution of the reasons for default with relation to some sociodemographic variables among new sputum-positive (NSP) tuberculosis (TB) patients in Darjeeling District, West Bengal. Settings and Design: A case-control study was conducted in three tuberculosis units (TUs) of Darjeeling from August'2011 to December'2011 among NSP TB patients enrolled for treatment in the TB register from 1 st Qtr'09 to 2 nd Qtr'10. Patients defaulted from treatment were considered as cases and those completed treatment as controls (79 cases and 79 controls). Materials and Methods: The enrolled cases and controls were interviewed by the health workers using a predesigned structured pro-forma. Statistical Analysis Used: Logistic regression analysis, odds ratios (OR), adjusted odds ratios (AOR). Results: 75% of the default occurred in the intensive phase (IP); 54.24% retrieval action was done within 1 day during IP and 75% within 1 week during continuation phase (CP); cent percent of the documented retrieval actions were undertaken by the contractual TB program staffs. Most commonly cited reasons for default were alcohol consumption (29.11%), adverse effects of drugs (25.32%), and long distance of DOT center (21.52%). In the logistic regression analysis, the factors independently associated were consumption of alcohol, inadequate knowledge about TB, inadequate patient provider interaction, instances of missed doses, adverse reactions of anti-TB drugs, Government Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) provider and smoking. Conclusions: Most defaults occurred in the intensive phase; pre-treatment counseling and initial home visit play very important role in this regard. Proper counseling by health care workers in patient provider meeting is needed.

Variation of Axial Ocular Dimensions with Age, Sex, Height, BMI-and Their Relation to Refractive Status

Abstract: Background: Myopia is one of the most common causes of visual impairment worldwide.It is proved in earlier studies that the eye shape is different in myopic and nonmyopic children even at a very young age, with the former manifesting asymmetric axial globe elongation and the latter global expansion but limited information is available regarding hypermetropia. Aim: To find out the variations of axial ocular dimensions in relation to age, sex, height and to demonstrate any possible correlation of body mass index (BMI) in myopic hypermetropic and emmetropic patients. Settings: It is a cross-sectional observational study. Materials and Methods: All the patients attending eye OPD in the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (R.I.O.), Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India from June2010 to May 2011.Axial dimensions were measured by B-mode USG. Refractive status was measured.Age, gender, height and BMI were also observed. After collecting all the data,all the variables were summarised by descriptive statistics followed by correlation testing by Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient r. Results: Height was positively correlated with axial length, anterior chamber depth, vitreous chamber depth ;age was positively correlated with axial length, vitreous chamber depth and negatively correlated with anterior chamber depth. Subjects with higher BMI tended to had refractions that were more hypermetropic. Conclusion: The findings of the present study can highlight not only the normal range of the different ocular parameters namely axial length, anterior chamber depth, vitreous chamber depth and lens thickness but their variation with age, gender, height and weight.