CHRISMED Journal of Health and Research 

About: CHRISMED Journal of Health and Research is an academic journal published by Medknow. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Internal medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 2348-3334. Over the lifetime, 499 publications have been published receiving 1267 citations.

Neonatal morbidity and mortality of sick newborns admitted in a teaching hospital of Uttarakhand

Abstract: Context: India accounts for 27.3% of total neonatal deaths in the world. This rate is highest in poor and marginalized areas like hilly regions of Uttarakhand that lack medical facilities. The newborns referred from here and admitted as outborn neonates contribute to the high neonatal mortality rate (NMR) of India. Aims : To study the demographic profile and morbidity-mortality pattern of neonates admitted in Sick Neonatal Care Unit (SNCU) and study the difference between inborn and outborn neonates. Study Design: Retrospective study of medical records for 1 year (2013-2014). Subjects and Methods: The age, sex, gestational age, and morbidity and mortality profile of all SNCU admissions in 1 year was determined, and the difference between inborn (those born in Teaching Hospital) and outborn (neonates delivered outside and referred) was calculated. Modifiable risk factors to reduce NMR in Uttarakhand were determined. Statistics: The data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tools in software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)-18. Results : Of the 721 neonates admitted, 63.25% neonates were males, and 53.54% were outborn and 46.46% inborn. Approximately, 60% were low birth weight and 50% preterm. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (21.9%), sepsis (19%), perinatal asphyxia (16.37%), and jaundice (12.9%) were the chief morbidities. The chief causes of mortality were prematurity (25.6%), sepsis (21.6%), perinatal asphyxia (19.5%), and RDS (17.3%) with a statistically higher rate in the outborn in comparison with inborn. Total 20.5% neonates died due to poor outcome of outborn neonates. Conclusion: Huge burden of neonatal death among the outborn is due to preventable causes like asphyxia and infections in Uttarakhand. Health policies must ensure increased access to essential services to target sick neonates born here.

Study of histopathological patterns of endometrium in abnormal uterine bleeding

Abstract: Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a common gynecological complaint associated with considerable morbidity and significantly affects the patient's family, personal and social life. The aim of the study was to analyze the histomorphological patterns of endometrium in patients presenting with AUB and also to determine the incidence of AUB in various age groups. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study, conducted in the Department of Pathology, in a tertiary care teaching hospital, Mangalore from October 2011 till date. All cases of AUB with a probable endometrial cause were included in the study. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and managed in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. Analysis was done in the form of percentages and proportions and represented as tables where necessary. Results: A total of 156 cases were analyzed. Patients' age ranged from 23-78 years. AUB was most prevalent in the perimenopausal age group. The most common presenting complaint was menorrhagia (47%). Endometrial hyperplasia was the most common histopathological finding and was seen in 25% patients, followed by secretory endometrium in 16.7% patients, and proliferative phase pattern and disordered proliferative endometrium were seen in 12.2% patients each. Malignancy was detected in 6.4% of cases and endometrial carcinoma was the most common lesion (4.5%). Conclusions: Histopathological evaluation of endometrial samples is especially indicated in women over the age of 35 years to rule out malignancy and preneoplasia. Among the patients with no organic pathology, normal physiological patterns with proliferative, secretory, and menstrual changes were observed. The most common endometrial pathology in this series was endometrial hyperplasia.

Prevalence of hypertension in type-2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract: Aims and Objectives: 1 To study the prevalence of hypertension in Type-2 diabetic patients. 2 To study the association with hypertension and diabetic complications. Materials and Methods: A total of 250 diabetic patients coming to Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital and College, Bellary were studied and evaluated for blood pressure (BP), and macrovascular and microvascular complication. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. Sample Size: 250. Inclusion Criteria: All Type-2 diabetic patients who are on treatment for diabetes. Exclusion Criteria: a. Newly diagnosed diabetes, b. Seriously ill patients, c. Refused to be a part of the study, d. Pregnancy, e. Type-1 diabetes mellitus. Results and Conclusion: Prevalence of hypertension noted in 64 (25.6%) patients. BP was normal in 55 (22%), 131 (52.4%) patients were prehypertensive, 45 (18%) patients were in stage-1 hypertension, and 19 (7.6%) had stage-2 hypertension. Macrovascular complications noted in 120 (48%) and microvascular complications noted in 60 (24%) patients.

Assessment of drug use pattern using World Health Organization core drug use indicators at Secondary Care Referral Hospital of South India

Abstract: Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the drug use pattern using World Health Organization (WHO) prescribing, patient care and health facility indicators at Secondary Care Referral Hospital of South India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Secondary Care Referral Hospital of South India. WHO core drug use indicators questionnaire was used for the assessment of drug use pattern which comprise of five prescribing care indicators, five patient care indicators and two health facility indicators. 603 patient encounters were reviewed prospectively for a 6 months period from November 2013 to April 2014. Data were collected from outpatients of the pharmacy and results were represented in descriptive statistics. Results and Discussion: The average number of drugs prescribed per prescription was 2.7. The percentage of prescriptions in which antibiotics and injections were comprised about 9.6% (n = 159) and 1.6% (n = 27), respectively. The percentage of drugs prescribed by generic and from essential drug list (EDL) was 42.9% (n = 709), and 95.6% (n = 1578), respectively. The average consulting and dispensing time was 3.7 min and 2.3 min, percentage of drugs actually dispensed and adequately labeled was 96.6% and 99.3%. Percentage of patients had knowledge of correct dosage was 89.3%. The copy of EDL was available and the percentage of key drugs available was 88%. Conclusion: On the basis of above findings, the study was concluded that the prescribing indicators were met WHO standard criteria. The patient care and health facility indicators are rational and the importance of these indicators was encouraged by the doctors and the pharmacists. It shows that available drugs are satisfying unlimited healthcare needs of the public. Further, such studies at different regions of India and their review may produce beneficial results for the betterment of the society.

Anatomy of Maxillary Sinus and its Ostium: A Radiological Study using Computed Tomography

Abstract: Background: Interventions involving the middle meatus are commonly performed because the majority of the paranasal sinuses open into the osteomeatal complex. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to locate the level of maxillary sinus ostium (MSO), to measure the distances between MSO and different anatomical landmarks, to measure the different dimensions of maxillary sinus and to compare the morphology of maxillary sinus between the right and the left sides. Materials and Methods: The study involved 50 computed tomography (CT) images of normal paranasal sinus anatomy in coronal and sagittal planes from the Department of Radiodiagnosis. The location of the sinus ostium (upper, middle, or lower third) was observed. Perpendicular distance from the sinus ostium to the lower border of inferior turbinate and hard palate were measured. The maximum vertical, transverse, and antero-posterior diameters of the maxillary sinus were measured. Results: Of 50 CT images, the MSO was located in the upper third in 40 cases while in 10 it was located in the middle third. The most common location of MSO was in the upper third. The dimensions of the maxillary sinus indicated bilateral symmetry. Conclusion: The dimensions of the maxillary sinus indicated bilateral symmetry, and there were no significant gender differences when compared. However, the distances of the MSO from the major anatomical landmarks were significantly different between males and females which are seldom reported earlier. This knowledge about the variations in the lateral wall of the nasal cavity is crucial during the endoscopic interventions and for functional endoscopic sinus surgeries.