Serum C-reactive protein and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as predictors of survival in cirrhotic patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome and bacterial infection.

Background: Cirrhotic patients are prone to infections due to underlying immune dysfunction in them. We aimed to study the role of inflammatory markers, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), in predicting infection, blood culture positivity, and short-term (1 month) mortality in hospitalized cirrhotic patients.

Methods: This prospective study was done over a period of 14 months (October 2017 to November 2018).

Evaluation of esophageal motor function in patients with gastroesophageal reflux using multiple rapid swallows.

Multiple rapid swallow (MRS) is a complementary test performed during high-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM). The present study was done to assess the MRS findings in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who have normal peristalsis and minor motility disorders. This is a retrospective analysis from a prospectively maintained database of patients referred for HREM study to our center.

Retrospective study on symptoms and treatment modalities used and short-term follow up of achalasia cardia in Indian setting.

Background: Achalasia cardia is a rare esophageal motor disorder that is frequently diagnosed late.

Aim: The aim of this study was to study the symptoms, treatment given, and response to treatment in patients with achalasia cardia in an Indian setting.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included all patients diagnosed with achalasia cardia on high-resolution esophageal manometry, using Chicago Classification v 3.

Hepatitis C treatment in the era of directly acting antivirals: an encouraging scenario.

The availability of directly acting antivirals (DAA) has revolutionised the management of hepatitis C in low- and middle-income countries such as India. We aimed to determine the spectrum of hepatitis C-related liver disease and the response to treatment using generic DAAs, using retrospective data collected from a cohort of adult patients. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, co-infection with hepatitis B, HIV and those with incomplete data were excluded.

Diagnostic value of the balloon expulsion test compared with anorectal manometry in Indian patients with dyssynergic defecation.

Introduction: Digital rectal examination (DRE) and balloon expulsion test (BET) are simple tests to diagnose dyssynergic defecation (DD).

Aim: To determine differences in symptoms and manometry findings in patients with abnormal BET and normal BET. The secondary objective was to ascertain the sensitivity and specificity of BET and DRE + BET for the diagnosis of DD in an Indian setting using ARM findings as the gold standard.

Role of esophageal manometry and 24-h pH testing in patients with refractory reflux symptoms.

Background: A proportion of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) do not respond to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy.

Aim Of The Study: To determine the findings on high-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM) and 24-h pH recording in patients with typical GERD symptoms, refractory to PPI treatment.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained database of patients referred for HREM and 24-h pH recording was done.

Normal study or minor motor disorders detected on high-resolution oesophageal manometry - are they relevant?

Introduction: The clinical significance of normal motility or minor peristaltic disorders, noted on esophageal manometry, in symptomatic patients is unclear.

Aim: To determine the clinical presentation, response to treatment, and outcomes at 2-year follow-up in symptomatic patients with normal manometry and minor peristaltic disorders.

Material And Methods: This prospective cohort study included patients between 18 and 80 years old.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibition for the reduction of cardiovascular events in high-risk patients with diabetes mellitus.

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) exhibit an increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) events. Hyperglycemia itself contributes to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and heart failure (HF) in these patients, but glucose-lowering strategies studied to date have had little or no impact on reducing CV risk, especially in patients with a long duration of T2DM and prevalent CV disease (CVD). Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are the new class of glucose-lowering medications that increase urinary glucose excretion, thus improving glycemic control, independent of insulin.