Comparison of treatment adherence among TB patients with and without COVID-19 in South India.

Aim: The present study aimed to compare the adherence to anti-TB treatment among post-COVID-19 pulmonary TB cases and TB patients without a history of COVID-19 in South India.

Methods: A prospective, cross sectional study was conducted in all drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis patients in National TB Elimination Program. The research investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TB management, considering both subjective and objective measures of adherence.

Lessons Pharmacy Practice in India Should Adopt From Advanced Nations: A Review.

In India, pharmacy practice is still at a developing stage with the majority of the graduates taking the industry pathway. Currently, there are only a few pharmacists who have been board-certified by the Board of Pharmacy Specialities (BPS), which is the most established pharmacist board certification program globally. Even though India is the largest global exporter of generic medications, pharmacy practice is yet to gain stronghold within its healthcare scenarios.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Bayley III Screening Tool to Detect Developmental Delay in Moderate to High-Risk Indian Preterm Children.

The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of the Bayley III screening tool to detect developmental delay in moderate to high-risk preterm children in India. In this cross-sectional study, 94 preterm babies were enrolled. The Bayley III screener (index test) and the gold-standard, Developmental assessment scale for Indian Infants (DASII) test were administered to all the enrolled children.

Characteristics and treatment analysis of young acute coronary syndrome patients in a tertiary care hospital: A cross-sectional retrospective study.

Background And Aims: The prevalence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been rising in the younger population worldwide. To fully comprehend the effects of the condition, it is crucial to examine the evolving characteristics and treatment options. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the characteristics and treatment analysis for young ACS patients in a tertiary care setting.

Usefulness and effectiveness of community pharmacists-led mobile phone communication in identification and referral of presumptive tuberculosis cases in a selected district of Tamil Nadu.

Background: Community pharmacists' usually are not able to be actively involved in the identification and referral of presumptive TB cases approaching their pharmacy for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. The main barriers from their perspective were increased patient volume and work burden. Therefore, a new methodology was adopted by appointing an auxiliary pharmacist who will be actively involved in the identification and referral of presumptive TB cases.

Barriers of healthcare professionals in utilizing the service of drugs and poison information Centre: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Health care professionals (HCPs) have been using drugs and poison information centre (DIC) less frequently in recent years. The purpose of this study was to identify the barriers that inhibit HCPs from using the DIC service in a tertiary care hospital, as well as the factors that assist HCPs in using DIC more effectively.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCPs in Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai.

Effect of L-Carnosine in children with autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are an emerging health problem worldwide. So far, no definite cure for ASD exists. L-Carnosine is an amino acid containing β-alanine and L-histidine which has been proposed to have neuroprotective, antioxidant and anti-convulsive properties that may benefit affected children with this disorder.

Challenges of non-COVID-19 patients with chronic illness during the pandemic.

Challenges faced by non-COVID-19 patients with chronic illness are limitless during the lockdown period. These patients are mostly immunocompromised and vulnerable to infection. The worst affected would be chronic disease patients with lower household income.

Barriers of community pharmacists in identification and referral of presumptive tuberculosis cases in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) still continues to be a major public health threat. Early diagnosis is the cornerstone in combating TB. Community pharmacists are the front line health care providers among the health care system.

Pyridoxine and Magnesium Administration-Induced Hyperactivity in Two Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Case Reports From a Clinical Trial.

Purpose: Pyridoxine hydrochloride and magnesium sulfate (pyridoxine-Mg) have been used for the management of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We present a case report of 2 children with ASD who were administered pyridoxine-Mg for 2 months.

Methods: The Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition, was used to confirm the adverse reaction.

Effect of sertraline in patients with newly diagnosed depression and type 2 diabetes mellitus or hypertension: An observational study from south India.

Background And Aims: Patients with either type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or hypertension (HTN) are more prone to develop depression when compared with the general population. Along with comorbid of either T2DM or HTN, treatment of depression may become an even bigger challenge. The present study aimed to observe the effect of sertraline in newly diagnosed depression patients with T2DM or HTN.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: An observational study in South Indians.

Background And Aims: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has a significant association with airflow obstruction and physical inactivity, which are the relevant extra-pulmonary markers of chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD). This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of MetS and its correlation with comorbidities and health related quality of life (HRQoL) in South Indian patients with COPD.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the 76 COPD patients.

Effect of rifampin with bio-enhancer in the treatment of newly diagnosed sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients: A double-center study.

Objective: To compare a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of Rifampicin 450 mg, Isoniazid 300 mg, Pyrazinamide 1500 mg and Ethambutol 800 mg (usual care group) and regimen of Rifampicin 200 mg, Isoniazid 300 mg and piperine 10 mg along with Pyrazinamide 1500 mg and Ethambutol 800 mg (intervention care group).

Methods: A randomized, prospective, parallel group study was conducted on newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients. The drugs were given during intensive and continuous phase of treatment to newly diagnosed sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis.

Prevalence and pattern of usage of complementary and alternative medicine among south Indian asthma patients in a tertiary care hospital.

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of CAM users among asthmatic patients in a tertiary care South Indian hospital.

Methods: Prospective, cross sectional study was conducted in 394 asthmatic patients.

Results: 30.

Prediction of cardiovascular risk in cancer patients of South India using WHO/ISH risk prediction charts and Framingham score - A prospective study.

Objective Despite the fact that cancer and heart diseases are interconnected, there is lack of information about the prevalence of cardiovascular risk in cancer patients in the South Indian population. With this background, the present study sought to predict the cardiovascular disease in cancer patients. Methods A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medical Oncology, Sri Ramachandra University and Hospital, India.

Periostin - A Novel Systemic Biomarker for Eosinophilic Airway Inflammation: A Case Control Study.

Introduction: Chronic airway inflammation and remodelling are fundamental features of asthma. The molecular phenotypes in asthma are Th2 high and Th2 low. Serum periostin is a biomarker which aid in understanding Th2 high eosinophilic asthma.

Effectiveness of vitamin D3 in severe persistent asthmatic patients: A double blind, randomized, clinical study.

Objective: To assess the pulmonary function and quality of life in asthma patients receiving vitamin D3 supplementation with inhaled budesonide and formoterol.

Materials And Methods: This was a double blinded, randomized, comparative study. Patients were recruited as per the study criteria and randomized into two groups: usual care group (n = 69) patients received budesonide (800 μg) with formoterol (24 μg) and intervention care group (n = 72) patients received vitamin D3 (1000 IU) supplementation along with budesonide (800 μg) plus formoterol (24 μg) for a period of 6 months.

Assessment of montelukast, doxofylline, and tiotropium with budesonide for the treatment of asthma: which is the best among the second-line treatment? A randomized trial.

Purpose: Data comparing various second-line treatments for asthma with subjective and objective assessment are lacking. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of montelukast, doxofylline, and tiotropium with a low-dose budesonide in patients with mild to moderate persistent asthma.

Methods: Patients, all of whom were concurrently using inhaled budesonide (400 µg), were treated for 6 months with formoterol (12 µg), montelukast (10 mg), doxofylline (400 mg), or tiotropium (18 µg).

Effect of vitamin D3 on mild to moderate persistent asthmatic patients: A randomized controlled pilot study.

Background: Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the bronchial airways. Well defined treatment options for asthma are very few. The role of vitamin D3 on asthma is still baffling.