Prevalence of depression among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients in South Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) significantly increases the risk of depression, yet research on mental health in this population remains limited.

Aim: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prevalence of depression among multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) patients, emphasizing the necessity for integrated mental health care.

Methods: A systematic search across PubMed, Cochrane, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar identified 536 articles, which were screened for eligibility after removing duplicates.

Norovirus outbreaks due to contaminated drinking water and probable person-to-person transmission, Kerala, India, 2021.

Background: In July 2021, the Alappuzha district in Kerala, India, reported an unexpected number of acute gastroenteritis (772) cases (Outbreak A). On October 10, 2021, a university in Wayanad, Kerala, reported 25 acute gastroenteritis cases (Outbreak B). We described both the outbreaks and determined the agent, source and risk factors.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Metabolic Syndrome among Police Officers in Kozhikode Corporation.

Context: Police personnel constitute a special occupational group with exposure to stressful work environment indirectly resulting in a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, including metabolic syndrome (MS), hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cigarette smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle is reported among policemen. Surveillance activities are limited in the present scenario.

Aims: The present study was designed to measure the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and other cardiovascular risk factors among police officers in Kozhikode district and observe the trend over the last 10 years.

Clinicoetiological study on vaginal discharge among sexually active women attending a tertiary center in North Kerala, India.

Background: Vaginal discharge is a common complaint among women attending the sexually transmissible infections (STIs) clinic and is a cause for concern and mental distress. It can be attributed to physiological or pathological causes. This study aims to understand the prevalence of various etiologies of vaginal discharge, which would help frame health policies based on local needs.

RegiSCAR DRESS (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) Validation Scoring System and Japanese Consensus Group Criteria for Atypical Drug-Induced Hypersensitivity Syndrome (DiHS): A Comparative Analysis.

Context: Drug reaction with eosinphilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) and drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DiHS) represent the same spectrum of a drug reaction.

Aims: To compare the clinical profile of patients diagnosed as definite/probable DRESS by the Registry of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reaction (RegiSCAR) scoring system and as atypical DiHS by Japanese consensus group criteria.

Settings And Design: We did a retrospective study in a tertiary referral center.

Influence of collar height of definitive restoration and type of luting cement on the amount of residual cement in implant restorations: A clinical study.

Statement Of Problem: Residual cement in the peri-implant sulcus may cause peri-implant mucositis, which can lead to peri-implantitis. Clinical studies comparing the role of the collar height of the definitive restoration and the type of cement used for luting the prosthesis in the amount of residual cement are lacking.

Purpose: The purpose of this clinical study was to determine the volume of residual cement left undetected in the peri-implant sulcus by an implant prosthesis with 3 different collar heights and 3 luting cements.

Linear trends over 20 years in sexually transmitted infections among patients attending a tertiary care centre in north Kerala, India.

Background: Worldwide, a declining trend is observed in sexually transmitted infections of bacterial origin which is reflected as a rise in the proportion of viral sexually transmitted infections.

Aims: To find out the clinical referral patterns of sexually transmitted infections among patients who attended the sexually transmitted infection clinic attached to Dermatology and Venereology Department of Government Medical College, Kozhikode from 1.1.

High-resolution ultrasound in the assessment of peripheral nerves in leprosy: A comparative cross-sectional study.

Background: Detection of peripheral nerve thickening and nerve function impairment is crucial in the diagnosis and the management of leprosy.

Aims And Objectives: (1) To document the cross-sectional area, echotexture and blood flow of peripheral nerves in healthy controls and leprosy cases using high-resolution ultrasound, (2) to compare the sensitivities of clinical examination and high-resolution ultrasound in detecting peripheral nerve thickening in leprosy.

Methods: Peripheral nerves of 30 leprosy patients and 30 age- and sex-matched controls were evaluated clinically and by high-resolution ultrasound.

Little Known Dangers of an Exotic Poisonous Fruit: Lessons From Two Cases of Konjac Ingestion.

, often abbreviated to Konjac, is a perennial plant that is not uncommon in parts of Asia where it is cultivated as a food source. However, consumption of the raw plant has been known to be toxic to animals. We report the first human cases of Konjac poisoning in two children after accidental ingestion of its seeds.

Management of diabetes during fasting and COVID-19 - Challenges and solutions.

Introduction: Fasting is observed as a religious custom in various forms across the globe. Among them, the Ramadan fasting is very common and widely practiced. People with diabetes observe fasting with or without obtaining medical advice.

Cochlear Dysfunction in Chronic Otitis Media and Its Determinants.

Introduction: Long-standing chronic otitis media (COM) may lead to sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The present study aimed to evaluate the factors affecting the sensorineural component to counsel patients regarding the risk of SNHL at the event of untreated COM.

Material And Methods: A time-bound cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at a tertiary care hospital.

Objective Assessment of Microsurgery Competency-In Search of a Validated Tool.

Microsurgical skill acquisition is an integral component of training in plastic surgery. Current microsurgical training is based on the subjective Halstedian model. An ideal microsurgery assessment tool should be able to deconstruct all the subskills of microsurgery and assess them objectively and reliably.

Merkel Cells: A Collective Review of Current Concepts.

Merkel cells (MCs) constitute a very unique population of postmitotic cells scattered along the dermo-epidermal junction. These cells that have synaptic contacts with somatosensory afferents are regarded to have a pivotal role in sensory discernment. Several concerns exist till date as to their origin, multiplication, and relevance in skin biology.

A 10-year Retrospective Descriptive Study on Pure Neuritic Leprosy from a Tertiary Referral Centre.

Context: Pure neuritic leprosy is a risk factor for grade 2 disability owing to the early nerve damage.

Aims: To study the clinical patterns of neuritic leprosy, to determine the percentage of patients manifesting grade 2 disability at the time of diagnosis and to identify any risk factors for the same.

Settings And Design: Retrospective descriptive study from previous case records of pure neuritic leprosy patients who attended a tertiary centre from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2017.

Experience of Domestic Violence and Psychological Morbidity in Spouses of Alcohol-Dependent Males.

Background: Prevalence of both domestic violence (DV) and alcohol use is reported to be high in Kerala. The prevalence of DV and psychological morbidity in spouses of alcohol-dependent males has not been studied objectively.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was undertaken to study the occurrence of DV and psychological morbidity-major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorders, and adjustment disorders-in spouses of alcohol-dependent males attending the de-addiction center of a tertiary care hospital in South India.

Predictors of disease severity in drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms.

Background: Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms is an outcome of a complex interaction between specific drugs, certain herpesviruse types and the immune system of the affected individual and is characterized by an unpredictable course and recurrent flares even after withdrawal of the offending drug and administration of systemic steroids.

Aims: To identify the predictors of disease severity in drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms.

Methods: After obtaining ethical clearance from the institutional ethics committee and a written informed consent from individual study participant, the first hundred patients who required inpatient care in Government Medical College, Kozhikode with drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms from January 1 2011 were included in this study aimed to identify the predictors of disease severity in drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms.

Role of in Reduction of Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia.

Introduction: Probiotics are known to reduce the severity of hyperbilirubinemia.

Aim: This study was done to evaluate the effect of probiotic on neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in term neonates.

Materials And Methods: A total of 181 healthy term neonates after birth were divided into a control group (n=95) and a treatment group (n=86) randomly and treated with placebo and probiotic () respectively.

Prevalence of Carcinomatous Foci in Oral Leukoplakia: A Clinicopathologic Study of 546 Indian Samples.

Introduction: Oral Leukoplakia (OL), the most common potentially malignant disorder, is diagnosed clinically on the basis of exclusion of other lesions. In a country like India, where prevalence of oral cancer is very high, the issue of carcinomatous foci within OL at the time of initial diagnosis of leukoplakia has never been addressed before.

Aim: To estimate the prevalence and risk factors for epithelial dysplasia as well as carcinoma within OL lesions at the time of initial clinical presentation in an Indian population with high prevalence of tobacco use.

Below the poverty line and non-communicable diseases in Kerala: The Epidemiology of Non-communicable Diseases in Rural Areas (ENDIRA) study.

Introduction: India carries the greatest burden of global non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Poverty is strongly associated with NCDs but there are few prevalence studies which have measured poverty in India, particularly in rural settings.

Methods: In Kerala, India, a population of 113,462 individuals was identified.