Prevalence and Risk Factors of Urinary Incontinence among Elderly Women Residing in Kochi Corporation: A Community-based Cross-sectional Study.

Background: A study was done on the prevalence, risk factors, and treatment-seeking behavior of elderly women with urinary incontinence (UI) residing in Kochi Corporation, Kerala, India. The community-based cross-sectional study was done in Kochi on 525 elderly women aged 60 years and above, selected by cluster random sampling, after getting consent, using a questionnaire. The overall prevalence of UI was found to be 64% (95% confidence interval (CI) 59.

Comparative Analysis of Platelet-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Using Flow Cytometry and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis.

Growing interest in extracellular vesicles (EVs) has prompted the advancements of protocols for improved EV characterization. As a high-throughput, multi-parameter, and single particle technique, flow cytometry is widely used for EV characterization. The comparison of data on EV concentration, however, is hindered by the lack of standardization between different protocols and instruments.

Prevalence and Pattern of Antibiotic Self-Medication Practice in an Urban Population of Kerala, India: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Self-medication involves the use of medicinal products by a consumer to treat self-recognized disorders or symptoms or intermittent or continued use of a medication prescribed by a physician for chronic or recurring diseases or symptoms. Practicing self-medication for antibiotics is a major factor fueling the emergence of drug resistance. This study would help health-care providers in creating public awareness on the dangers of antibiotic abuse.

Long-Term Morbidity after Endometrial Cancer Surgery: a Comparison of Open vs. Robotic Approach.

This retrospective study is looking into the long-term morbidity after endometrial cancer staging surgery and compares the long-term morbidity of patients who underwent open staging surgery vs. robotic approach. One hundred twenty-nine patients who underwent staging surgery for endometrial cancer from January 2014 until June 2017 were included in the analysis.

Multi-gene testing in neurological disorders showed an improved diagnostic yield: data from over 1000 Indian patients.

Background: Neurological disorders are clinically heterogeneous group of disorders and are major causes of disability and death. Several of these disorders are caused due to genetic aberration. A precise and confirmatory diagnosis in the patients in a timely manner is essential for appropriate therapeutic and management strategies.

Assessment of vaccine coverage and associated factors among children in urban agglomerations of Kochi, Kerala, India.

Context: Urban population in India is growing exponentially. The public sector urban health delivery system has so far been limited in its reach and is far from adequate.

Aims: This study aims to estimate routine immunization coverage and associated factors among children (12-23 months and 60-84 months) in the urban Kochi Metropolitan Area of Kerala.

Anemia Among School Children in Ernakulam District, Kerala, India.

Anaemia has significant negative impact on the health of school children including poor scholastic performance and cognitive impairment. The present study was done with the objective to estimate the prevalence of anemia among school going children in Ernakulam district, Kerala and to determine a few factors associated with anemia. Hemoglobin of 880 students of 6th to 9th standard in 11 randomly selected schools of Ernakulam district was estimated using HemoCue 201 photometer.

Prevalence of Neglected Tropical Diseases (Leishmaniasis and Lymphatic Filariasis) and Malaria Among a Migrant Labour Settlement in Kerala, India.

Neglected tropical diseases (visceral leismaniasis, lymphatic filariasis) and malaria are endemic in northern states of India. Kerala has become a hub of construction activities employing a large number of migrants from these endemic states. Studies on morbidity pattern among migrants in Kerala are lacking.

Implementation of a standardized electronic tool improves compliance, accuracy, and efficiency of trainee-to-trainee patient care handoffs after complex general surgical oncology procedures.

Background: Duty-hour regulations have increased the frequency of trainee-trainee patient handoffs. Each handoff creates a potential source for communication errors that can lead to near-miss and patient-harm events. We investigated the utility, efficacy, and trainee experience associated with implementation of a novel, standardized, electronic handoff system.

Assessing Compliance With Established Pneumonia Core Measures at a Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Healthcare organizations use Pneumonia Core Measures (PCMs) to ensure delivery of high-quality care. In this study, a multidisciplinary team was organized to optimize care and enhance compliance in a comprehensive cancer emergency center. We performed a four-phase study, three of which were interventional: intense education regarding PCM; microbiologic analysis of the pathogens responsible for the pneumonias; development and implementation of an institutional pneumonia algorithm and order set.