Comparative efficacy and safety of gabapentin, pregabalin, oxcarbazepine, and duloxetine in diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A network meta-analysis.

Purpose: To conduct a network meta-analysis comparing the safety and efficacy of gabapentin (GBP), pregabalin (PGB), oxcarbazepine (OXC), and duloxetine (DLX) in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).

Materials And Methods: The study's eligibility criteria includee randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a focus on DPN patients receiving GBP, PGB, DLX, or OXC versus placebo. Noncompliant trials with incomplete information and observational studies were excluded.

Improvement in Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) Knowledge: A Pre- and Post-video Intervention Study Among Doctors.

Background Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) represent a significant public health concern, contributing to mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs worldwide. Healthcare practitioners especially doctors play a vital role in identifying and reporting ADR. This study investigates the prevalence of knowledge regarding ADR among doctors and enhances it with educational intervention.

A case series on tofacitinib-induced weight gain.

Janus kinase inhibitor tofacitinib belongs to a group of targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, also known as small molecule inhibitors. They are oral drugs with a novel strategy to treat inflammatory diseases. The major concern with the use of these drugs is a high risk for infections and other potential side effects.

Assessment of self-reported adherence to ART and patient's virological/CD4 response in a tertiary care clinic and government free ART clinic.

Introduction: Treatment adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is critical in reducing morbidity, mortality, and improving the survival in HIV patients. ART is a life-long commitment, and the variety of factors can influence treatment adherence. We studied the factors affecting treatment adherence in the private sector and public sector outdoor clinic in Ahmedabad, India.

Impact of newer direct-acting antiviral drugs based on quality-adjusted life years: A prospective pharmacoeconomic study in hepatitis C patients.

Context: The Indian government is dispensing newer direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs, which may have impact on hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients' quality of life (QoL).

Aims: To evaluate different DAA regimens and impact on QoL in terms of quality-adjusted life year (QALY) in HCV patients and to measure cost-effectiveness.

Methods: This prospective, observational study was carried out on patients who were diagnosed with HCV.

Severe Polyhydramnios with Consistent Fetal Full Bladder: A Novel Sign of Antenatal Bartter's Disease.

Bartter's disease, an inherited renal tubular disorder is due to a defect in ion transport across the ascending limb of the loop of Henle leading to failure of the ability of kidneys to concentrate urine and hence polyuria. We present three fetuses of mothers with severe polyhydramnios with normal maternal blood sugar profile, routine Toxoplasma, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes (TORCH) serology. The ultrasound showed no structural anomaly in the fetus, but consistent overdistended bladder with severe polyhydramnios was observed without any evidence of obstructive uropathy.

Off-label drugs use in neurology outpatient department: A prospective study at a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Background: Off-label drug use refers to any use of an approved or cleared drug that is not included in that product's approved labeling or cleared indications for use. It may be in terms of indication, age group, dosage, or route of administration. Off-label drug prescriptions are common neurology practice.

Antiepileptic Drugs-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome: A case Series.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is an acute life-threatening mucocutaneous reaction, characterized by extensive necrosis and detachment of the epidermis from the skin. The overall incidence of SJS is seen in five cases per million people per year. SJS is typically caused by drugs and is a kind of idiosyncratic reaction.

Prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications and prescription cost analysis among older cardiac patients in an outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in India.

Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in the elderly at cardiology outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary care teaching hospital using Beers criteria and to find the direct cost burden of PIMs.

Materials And Methods: The present study was an observational cross-sectional study. Prescriptions of the patients' aged ≥65 years were collected from the cardiology OPD and were analyzed.

Students' perceptions on feedback module in pharmacology.

Context: Feedback is an integral part of formative assessment though underutilized in medical education. The objective of this study was to review our feedback module through students' perceptions.

Methodology: We have developed a feedback module which is practiced by us for last 10 years for term ending examination that gives collective feedback to the whole class, followed by individual student-teacher interactions.

Health related quality of life in hypertensive patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Background: Quality of life (QOL) evaluation has emerged as an important outcome measure for chronic diseases like hypertension.

Aims: To determine QOL in patients suffering from hypertension using MINICHAL and WHOQOL-BREF tools.

Methods And Material: The study was carried out for eight weeks in medicine outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital.

Drug utilization in pediatric neurology outpatient department: A prospective study at a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Background: Neurological disorders are a significant cause of morbidity, mortality and adversely affect quality of life among pediatric patients. In India, more than 30% population is under 20 years of age, many of whom present late during the course of illness. Several drugs prescribed to pediatric population suffering from neurological disorders may be off label or unlicensed.

Evaluation of rationality in prescribing, adherence to treatment guidelines, and direct cost of treatment in intensive cardiac care unit: A prospective observational study.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the most common cause of sudden death. Hence, appropriate drug therapy in intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU) is crucial in managing cardiovascular emergencies and to decrease morbidity and mortality.

Objective: To evaluate prescribing pattern of drugs and direct cost of therapy in patients admitted in ICCU.

Drug utilization in emergency medicine department at a tertiary care teaching hospital: A prospective study.

Background And Objectives: The practice of emergency medicine has the primary mission of evaluating, managing and providing treatment to those patients with unexpected injury or illness. Instituting appropriate therapy is necessary for safety of the patients and to decrease mortality and morbidity. The objectives were to study the drug utilization pattern and direct cost of therapy in emergency medicine department of a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Objective structured practical examination as a tool for the formative assessment of practical skills of undergraduate students in pharmacology.

Introduction: Assessment for practical skills in medical education needs improvement from subjective methods to objective ones. An Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) has been considered as one such method. This study is an attempt to evaluate the feasibility of using OSPE as a tool for the formative assessment of undergraduate medical education in pharmacology.

Inappropriate surgical chemoprophylaxis and surgical site infection rate at a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the pattern of surgical chemoprophylaxis, surgical site infection rate, and to check rationality of surgical chemoprophylaxis based on Kunin's criteria.

Materials And Methods: A prospective, observational study was performed on patients undergoing surgery, in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Data were collected in a pro-forma which included the patients' details, prescriptions from date of admission to discharge or any other outcome and operative notes.