Impact of Branched Chain Amino Acid on Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, Physical Performance, Combined Survival, and Maintenance of Liver Function Changes in Laboratory and Prognostic Markers on Sarcopenic Patients With Liver Cirrhosis (BCAAS Study): A Randomized Clinical Trial.

This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) supplementations on the parameters associated with improved prognosis in sarcopenic patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and evaluate its impact on cirrhotic-related events. A 24-week, single-center, randomized, open-label, controlled, two cohort parallel-group intervention study was carried out by comparing the efficacy of BCAAs against lactoalbumin (L-ALB) on 106 sarcopenic patients with LC. The BCAA (intervention) group was treated with 7.

A Prospective Multicentric Postmarketing Observational Study to Characterize the Patient Population with Reduced Gastrointestinal Motility among Indian Diabetic Patients Receiving Itopride: The Progress Study.

Aims: This study was intended to assess the clinical profile of Indian diabetic patients with reduced gastrointestinal (GI) motility and to understand the role of itopride in addressing reduced GI motility (gastroparesis) symptoms and maintaining glycemic control.

Material And Methods: Patients with established reduced GI motility (scintigraphy), with varying degree of GI symptoms, receiving itopride 150 mg as per physicians' discretion were enrolled. Clinical profile, changes in symptom severity, glycemic indices, tolerability, and quality of life (QoL) after 8-week therapy (Patient assessment of upper GI disorders-QoL [PAGI-QoL]) were assessed.

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection in India: Regional demographics and distribution of viral genotypes.

Background And Aims: Although chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects millions of people in India, few studies have assessed host, viral, and disease characteristics of chronically infected patients at national and regional levels. Such information is critical to support large scale screening and treatment initiatives for chronic HCV infection in India.

Methods: Patients with known chronic HCV infection making routine or for-cause visits to the participating study centers were enrolled in this observational study.

Etiology, clinical profile, and inhospital mortality of acute-on-chronic liver failure: a prospective study.

Background: The causes of acute injury in acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) are variable. There may be simultaneous presence of more than one acute insult. We describe the clinical profile of ACLF and the effect of dual acute insult on the natural history.

Phylogenetic analysis of hepatitis e virus in northwest India.

Genotyping and subtyping are important to understand epidemiology of the hepatitis E virus so as to improve control measures to prevent transmission of virus in the community. Hence, the aim of the current study was to identify the prevalent HEV genotypes in Rajasthan in acute sporadic hepatitis E cases with varying degree of liver failure. We studied hepatitis E virus (HEV) isolates from hospitalized patients in Rajasthan, western India.

Contribution of hepatitis E virus in acute sporadic hepatitis in north western India.

Background & Objectives: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes acute viral hepatitis. Majority of the documented studies on hepatitis E have been focused on the incidence of this disease in northern and south central India. Limited data are available on HEV infection among acute sporadic hepatitis cases in north western India.

Seroepidemiology and role of polymerase chain reaction to detect viremia in an epidemic of hepatitis E in Western India.

Aim: In an outbreak of hepatitis E affecting 859 individuals, we evaluated the titres of serological markers (IgM anti-HEV and IgG anti-HEV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

Methods: Serological markers for acute hepatitis were evaluated in 294 icteric patients (Group A) and 300 apparently healthy controls (Group B). HEV RNA was measured by RT nPCR in 19 patients in the first week of illness in patients with negative IgM anti-HEV.

Barium meal follow through with pneumocolon: screening test for chronic bowel pain.

Aim: To study the sensitivity, specificity and cost effectiveness of barium meal follow through with pneumocolon (BMFTP) used as a screening modality for patients with chronic abdominal pain of luminal origin in developing countries.

Methods: Fifty patients attending the Gastroenterology Unit, SMS Hospital, whose clinical evaluation revealed chronic abdominal pain of bowel origin were included in the study. After routine testing, BMFT, BMFTP, contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of the abdomen, barium enema and colonoscopy were performed.

Chronic pancreatitis. A prospective nationwide study of 1,086 subjects from India.

Context: Chronic pancreatitis is common in India. However, its risk factors are not clear. There is sparse data on the current prevalence of tropical pancreatitis in India.

Acute pancreatitis in acute viral hepatitis.

Aim: To elucidate the frequency and characteristics of pancreatic involvement in the course of acute (nonfulminant) viral hepatitis.

Methods: We prospectively assessed the pancreatic involvement in patients with acute viral hepatitis who presented with severe abdomimanl pain.

Results: We studied 124 patients with acute viral hepatitis, of whom 24 presented with severe abdominal pain.

Prevalence of occult hepatitis B & C in HIV patients infected through sexual transmission.

Background: Prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) markers including active and occult infection has not been described in diverse cohorts among HIV-infected patients in India. Earlier studies have explained the role of HBV/HCV co-infection in cohorts of injection drug users (IDUs) but the sexual co-transmission of HBV/ HCV is not completely understood.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of occult HBV & HCV infection in HIV positive sexually acquired transmission risk group.

Safety and efficacy of an indigenous human recombinant interferon alpha 2b (Shanferon) in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Interferon treatment is the established option for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B without decompensated liver disease. However, such treatment is expensive. We report here our data of a multi-center, open-label trial of the use of an indigenously produced interferon in the treatment of chronic HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B.

Management of ingested foreign bodies in upper gastrointestinal tract: report on 170 patients.

Background: Ingestion of foreign bodies (FB) is commonly encountered in gastrointestinal practice.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of data on endoscopic removal of FB in 170 patients (124 children) who were managed at a tertiary referral center over a six-year period.

Outcome: Coins were the most common FB removed (n=134).