Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Associated Disorders in Morbidly Obese Patients: A Prospective Study

Objective To prospectively evaluate the frequency of upper gastrointestinal symptoms and associated disorders in morbidly obese patients with endoscopy and histology prior to their gastric bypass surgery in comparison with age- and sex-matched nonobese control subjects. Methods All patients who were scheduled to undergo laparoscopic gastric bypass for treatment of morbid obesity (body mass index, BMI > 40 kg/m²) during a 1-year period (n = 101) were included in the study. Age- and sex-matched nonobese patients who were seen in the medical clinics during the study period were enrolled as control subjects. The demographic data, total body weight, body mass index, and gastrointestinal symptoms were recorded, and the results of upper endoscopy and histology were tabulated. Endoscopic documentation of hiatal hernia, esophagitis, gastritis, gastric polyps, and peptic ulcer disease was also noted along with the histologic findings of the mucosal biopsies from the upper gastrointestinal tract. Results The prevalence of heartburn as a symptom was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the morbidly obese patients (32.6%) compared with in the control group (18.8%). Endoscopically, the prevalence of hiatal hernia was also significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the morbidly obese group (38.6%) compared with in the control group (13.8%). Similarly the frequency of endoscopically and histologically identified gastritis was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the morbidly obese patient group. However, the frequency of histologically identified Helicobacter pylori was not statistically different in the two groups. Conclusion These observations suggest a significant increase in the frequency of heartburn, hiatal hernia, and histologically identified gastritis in morbidly obese patients.     

Hypogonadism in male Leprosy patients--a study from rural Uttar pradesh

Hypogonadism in male patients with Leprosy is common and may identify patients with future risk for bone loss and osteoporosis. In the present study, we evaluated gonadal function in 71 male patients with Leprosy both clinically and by estimation of serum testosterone levels. The patients belonged to selected rural areas of Uttar pradesh, with majority aged less than 50 yrs (74.6%), Hindus (66.7%), illiterate (60.9%), and of low socioeconomic status (58% with per capita income < Rs.500 per month). Most patients had multibacillary Leprosy (83.1%), duration less than 2 years (75.4%) and had received antileprosy drugs for less than a year (95.6 %).Seven patients (9.9%) had clinical features of hypogonadism such as gynaecomastia, decreased sexual hair and infertility. Serum testosterone levels, estimated in 31 of the patients, revealed low values in 25.8% (8/31) patients (Mean 4.65+/-3.37 ng/ml). Age, duration of Leprosy and socioeconomic status but not type of Leprosy or treatment duration affected hypogonadism significantly. The results of the present study indicate a high frequency of hypogonadism among rural male Leprosy patients that warrants routine screening to identify patients at risk for osteoporosis and possible prevention with testosterone replacement therapy.     

Outbreak of Mucormycosis in Coronavirus Disease Patients,Pune, India

We provide an overview of the epidemiology and clinical course of mucormycosis in the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic era. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 178 patients with clinical or diagnostic, endoscopically or histopathologically confirmed rhino-sino-orbital or cerebral mucormycosis after COVID-19 treatment during the second wave of COVID-19 in Pune, India. Median time to symptom onset from COVID-19 detection was 28 days. Moderate or severe COVID-19 was seen in 73% of patients and diabetes in 74.2%. A total of 52.8% received steroids. Eschar over or inside the nose was seen in 75%, but baseline clinical and laboratory parameters were mostly unremarkable. Bone penetration was present in ≈90% of cases, 30% had soft-tissue swelling of the pterygopalatine fossa and 7% had cavernous sinus thrombosis, and 60% had multifocal mucormycosis. Of the 178 study cases, 151 (85%) underwent surgical debridement. Twenty-six (15%) died, and 16 (62%) of those had multifocal mucormycosis.     

Socio-demographic profile of leprosy patients in two districts of western Uttar Pradesh

Despite achieving the goal of national elimination of leprosy, it remains a serious public health problem in the high prevalence states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Orissa. A significant percentage of newly detected cases are Multibacillary. It underscores the importance of developing a more effective strategy to combat the disease in high prevalence pockets of the country. A glance into sociodemographic profile of the leprosy patients of one the high prevalence states might help in understanding the current ground situation better. A questionnaire based study was conducted at health care center of two districts of Uttar Pradesh (Rampur and Moradabad).Data on demographic profile of leprosy patients attending these centers were collected. The leprosy patients were more frequently males (63.8%). The duration of time before presentation was significantly longer for semiskilled workers (Kuppuswami Scale classification), p = 0.029. Patients with multibacillary disease were younger (mean age 31.04 yrs) as compared to paucibacillary leprosy (mean age 38.7yrs), p value = 0.041. These observations suggests that a specific population based approach is required to detect new cases early. Certain groups of the population might benefit from active surveillance.     

Low levels of awareness, vaccine coverage, and the need for boosters among health care workers in tertiary care hospitals in India

Background and Aim: The risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection through exposure to blood or its products is highest amongst health care workers (HCWs). Despite potential risks, a proportion of HCWs never get vaccinated. India is second to China in the numbers of people with chronic HBV. This study aimed to investigate the vaccination practices and the prevalence of HBV infection in HCWs in India. Methods: A total of 2162 HCWs were screened for the presence of serological markers of HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Occult HBV infection was tested by detection of HBV‐DNA for surface and core regions by nested polymerase chain reaction in HBsAg‐negative and IgG anti‐hepatitis core antigen–positive subjects. Results: Only 1198 (55.4%) of the 2162 HCWs screened had been vaccinated; and 964 (44.6%) were not vaccination‐status conscious; of these HCWs, 600 (27.7%) had never been vaccinated and 364 (16.4%) were unaware of their vaccination status. Protective (> 10 IU/mL) anti‐hepatitis B surface (anti‐HBs) antigen titers were seen in only 61.7%. The anti‐HBs titers were found to be lower with the passage of time; the median anti‐HBs titers in subjects who were vaccinated > 10 years ago were significantly lower than those who had been vaccinated < 5 years ago (P < 0.001). One percent of HCWs were HBsAg‐positive, and 24.7% of 700 HCWs screened had past exposure (IgG‐anti‐HBc‐positive). Occult HBV was detected in 5% of 120 positive subjects with past exposure; all had anti‐HBs titers > 10 IU/mL. Conclusions: Even today, 28% HCWs in India are unvaccinated and 17% are unaware of their vaccination status. This data suggests that use of hepatitis B immune globulin be mandatory in needle‐pricked HCWs in India, and that implementation of awareness strategies is urgent. Since the anti‐HBs titers decline in a fair proportion, there is justification for giving a booster dose of vaccine 10 years after primary vaccination to HCWs in India.