Abbreviated Duration of Vasoactive Agents Has Similar Outcomes as Standard Duration of Therapy in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis and Variceal Bleeding: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis.

Background: This two-stage individual patient data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) compared the efficacy of a shorter duration (≤ 2 days) of vasoactive (VA) drug therapy to standard duration (3-5 days) after acute variceal bleeding (AVB) in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Patients And Methods: Randomized clinical trials on patients with cirrhosis and AVB undergoing endoscopic band ligation which compared a short duration versus the standard duration of VA therapy were included. The primary outcome was 5-day rebleeding rate.

Depression, anxiety, stress, and coping among men with infertility seeking treatment at a tertiary care hospital in South India: A mixed-method study.

Background: Many studies in India and all over the world have focused on the psychological aspect of infertility in women, but only a few have explored it among men. To deal with psychological distress, sometimes, individuals may use maladaptive coping strategies which can further worsen the stress instead of reducing it.

Aim: To assess symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and various coping strategies adopted by men with infertility along with exploring their coping experiences.

A mathematical model for derivation of Elevated-Electrode-Placement Electrocardiogram (EEP-ECG) leads from a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram.

Background: Placement of right precordial leads in higher intercostal spaces (EEP-ECG) improves the detection of Brugada Syndrome (BrS). Given the potential difficulty of lead placement and the transient nature of BrS ECG patterns, we developed a model to predict EEP-ECG from a standard 12‑lead ECG.

Objective: To create and validate a model that derives EEP-ECG leads from a standard 12‑lead ECG.

Etiology, clinical characteristics, genetic profile, and outcomes of children with refractory rickets at a referral center in India: a cohort study.

Background: Limited research exists regarding the genetic profile, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of refractory rickets in children from India.

Methods: Patients with refractory rickets aged ≤ 18 years were enrolled. Data regarding clinical features, etiology, genotype-phenotype correlation, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were recorded.

Immunogenicity, Efficacy, and Effectiveness of Two-Dose and Shorter Schedules of Hepatitis E Vaccine: A Systematic Review.

: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a leading cause of acute viral hepatitis in adults. The schedule for HEV 239, the only approved anti-HEV vaccine, consists of three doses at 0, 1, and 6 months, which is unsuitable for use in emergency and outbreak situations where quick protection is desired. We, therefore, undertook a systematic review of data on immunogenicity, efficacy, and effectiveness of alternative accelerated schedules.

Revisiting malignant gastric outlet obstruction: Where do we stand?

The scope of management of malignant gastric outlet obstruction is ever-expanding. The therapeutic use of endoscopy is gaining popularity not just owing to its technical advancement and satisfactory patient outcomes. With technical success rates close to 96%, stent placement for palliating gastric obstruction has ensured a median survival of about 2 months post-deployment of gastro-duodenal stents.

Consensus Based Indian Guidelines for the Management of Pemphigus Vulgaris and Pemphigus Foliaceous.

Pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disorder characterized by the presence of intraepidermal blisters and erosions, primarily affecting the mucosa and/or skin. There are no established Indian guidelines for the management of pemphigus, and Western guidelines cannot be directly applied due to differences in clinicodemographic profiles, comorbidities, and resource limitations. These guidelines aim to provide Indian dermatologists with evidence-based and consensus-driven recommendations for the management of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceous (PF), taking into account the unique challenges posed by the Indian healthcare setting.

Nuances in the Treatment of Ewing Sarcoma of the Head and Neck in a Low-Middle-Income Country Setting: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach.

Background: Ewing sarcoma of the head and neck (ES-HN) is a rare subsite of ES, where therapeutic outcomes need to be explored further.

Methods: This retrospective study includes ES-HN patients registered at our center between 2003 and 2019. Demographic details and treatment outcomes were recorded from the hospital database.

The Utility and Impact of Telemedicine in Childhood Cancer Care: A Mixed Methods Study.

Background: While teleconsultation has proven feasible for adult cancer patients, its utility in childhood cancer care in India is unknown. This study assesses caregiver satisfaction, feasibility, and the economic impact of teleconsultation for children with cancer.

Procedure: This mixed methods study was conducted in the pediatric cancer outpatient service at a tertiary care cancer center in India.

Sperm Morphology of Post-wash Sample and Its Association with Clinical Pregnancy among the Couples Undergoing Intrauterine Insemination: A Cohort Study.

Background: Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is an effective and inexpensive method of managing patients with unexplained and male factor infertility. It is attempted before proceeding to more invasive assisted reproductive techniques such as fertilisation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Numerous semen parameters have been assessed to indicate successful outcomes with IUI.

Safety and efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange in neuromyelitis optica: A retrospective study from South India.

Introduction: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an idiopathic demyelinating disorder characterized mainly by optic neuritis and myelitis, causing gradual loss of vision and deterioration of neurological function. The underlying pathogenesis mainly involves antibodies against aquaporin 4. The effectiveness of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been shown by many studies across the globe but are only a few from India.

Syncopal reactions in blood donors: Pathophysiology, clinical course, and features.

Vasovagal syncope (VVS) in donors is a transient loss of consciousness due to short-term global cerebral hypoperfusion, which has a rapid onset and has complete spontaneous recovery. VVS may be triggered by pain, fear, anxiety, or emotional upset and loss of blood perse. It is an exaggeration of an adaptive response meant to assist in reducing the amount of bleeding/loss of blood.

Global Disparities in Outcomes of Pregnant Individuals With Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Scoping Review.

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains as 1 of the major contributors to indirect pregnancy-related mortality and morbidity worldwide and disproportionately affects marginalized populations.

Objectives: In this scoping review, the authors sought to explore the socioeconomic, cultural, and health care access-related causes of global disparities in outcomes of pregnancy among individuals with RHD.

Methods: We performed a literature search of all studies published between January 1, 1990, and January 1, 2022, that investigated causes for disparate outcomes in pregnant individuals with RHD.

Burden of rheumatic diseases among people with diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) is a prevalent metabolic condition affecting over 500 million people globally and associated with serious comorbidities, including various rheumatologic conditions. Some studies have reported a significant association between rheumatological conditions and DM2. However, the global burden of rheumatological conditions among people with DM2 remains unknown.

Protocol of randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of moderate exercise training on the functional capacity of patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator in a tertiary care center in South India.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation programs are planned to reduce the physiological and psychological stress of Cardiovascular Disease, decrease the risk of mortality secondary to CVD, improve cardiovascular function, and help patients to achieve their highest quality of life. However, data on the safety and efficacy of exercise training (ET) in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) is sparse. Exercise interventions in those with an ICD have not been extensively studied.

Incremental cost of treating antimicrobial-resistant infections among hospitalised patients in India: a cohort study.

Background: Accurate estimates of incremental cost (IC) attributable to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) provide information of immense public health importance to the policy makers. Here, we present the IC from patient perspective for treating antimicrobial-resistant pathogens in India.

Methods: This cohort study was conducted in eight hospitals including government (GH), private (PH) and trust hospitals (TH), considering their ownership, geographical location and categories of cities.

Chikungunya infection in children: clinical profile and outcome.

The clinical profile and outcomes of children with chikungunya infection differ from those observed in adults. As there is a paucity of data on chikungunya infection in children, this study aimed to find the clinical course, complications, and mortality rates of chikungunya infection in children. This was a combined retrospective and prospective observational study.

Burden of diabetes in correctional facilities: A global systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Diabetes mellitus presents significant public health challenges worldwide. While its prevalence and management in the general population have been extensively studied, comprehensive research on diabetes among incarcerated individuals is lacking. This study aims to conduct a systematic review and -analysis to determine the prevalence of diabetes within the prison population.