Category Archives: Journals

Abstract:Introduction: Stress among undergraduate students has become a significant concern in higher education due to its detrimental effects on their health and academic performance. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of stress among students pursuing their undergraduate education in a college in Kerala. By exploring the association between various sociodemographic variables and stress levels and identifying the relationship between different risk factors and stress, this research aims to provide valuable insights into the factors contributing to stress among undergraduate students.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 133 undergraduate students. Convenience sampling was utilized to select the participants. A pre-designed closed-ended questionnaire, specifically tailored for this study, was employed to collect data. The questionnaire consisted of relevant items related to stress experienced by undergraduate students. Appropriate statistical analyses were performed on the collected data, with a significance level set at p < 0.05.
Results: The findings of this study revealed that among the study participants, 19% of undergraduate students experienced high perceived stress, 67% experienced moderate stress, and 13% experienced low-stress levels. A statistically significant association was observed between reduced appetite and perceived stress (p-value = 0.014). Additionally, statistically significant associations were found between stress and poor relationships with faculties (p-value = 0.003), the warden (p-value = 0.01), family members (p-value = 0.003), facing time pressure (p-value = 0.006), heavy workloads (p-value = 0.029), fear of failure (p-value = 0.002), suffering from frequent exams (p-value = 0.003), and exam patterns and curriculum (p-value = 0.024).
Conclusion: The results of this study highlight the considerable prevalence of stress among undergraduate students, with the majority falling into the category of moderate stress levels. It is imperative to prioritize undergraduate students’ mental and physical well-being by incorporating counseling services and preventive mental health programs as integral components of routine clinical services. Encouraging students to engage in regular physical exercise, maintain balanced nutrition, foster positive relationships with peers, family, faculty, and college staff, ensure adequate sleep, and participate in extracurricular activities can significantly reduce stress levels. By addressing these factors, educational institutions can foster a supportive learning environment that promotes undergraduate students’ overall health and well-being.

Abstract:Objective: To evaluate the demographic data such as age, parity, living male child, educational status, intraoperative, and postoperative complications of laparoscopic tubal ligation by single puncture method.
Methods: A prospective study of Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation was conducted at a medical college during 2016-2022. A total of 1060 cases were enrolled based on criteria, and Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation was performed under sedation plus local anesthesia. The procedure was done after 1st trimester MTP, during the interval, and the puerperal period.
Result: Most of the patients (79.67%) were in the age group of 22-30 years. 53.38% were para 2. Out of the total, 97.24% of women had 2 or more living children, while only 2.76% had only one living child. Similarly, 97.24% had 1 or more male child, and only 2.76% had no male child. During the procedure, 3 (0.28%) patients had uterine perforation, and one (0.9%) had Mesosalpinx hematoma that required laparotomy. Additionally, 3 (0.28%) patients had serous and blood discharge from the wound, 4 (0.37%) had wound gaping, and 1 (0.9%) had omental prolapse. None of the patients developed peritonitis, bowel injury, or required laparotomy at a later stage. Further study and follow-up are required to comment on the failure rates.
Conclusion: The associated factors with single puncture laparoscopic tubal ligation include age, parity, number of living children, male child, complications, and timing of surgery.

Abstract:Introduction: Since December 31st, 2019, SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) has affected individuals in various ways. During this pandemic, a notable increase in patients presenting with symptoms such as frequency, urgency, burning sensation, hematuria, fever with chills, with or without minimal Influenza-like Illness (ILI), who later tested positive for COVID-19, has been observed. Hemorrhagic cystitis is the most common presenting symptom of viral urinary tract infection (UTI), and some COVID-19 survivors have presented with recurrent hemorrhagic cystitis. These observations prompted us to evaluate the risk factors and association of hemorrhagic cystitis with COVID-19 patients.
Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted among patients presenting with symptoms of cystitis in an outpatient department.
Results: Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory and radiological findings were collected, compiled, and analyzed using SPSS ver. 17.0. Out of 152 patients with cystitis, 96 had ILI and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19, and 20 had recovered from COVID-19 in the past month. Hematuria was found as the presenting symptom in 90 (59.21%) patients, with 78 (86.67%) testing positive for COVID-19 and 12 (13.33%) testing negative. According to the Droller et al. grading system, 49% had grade 1 severity, and 32% had grade 2 severity. Diabetes was the most significant risk factor associated with hemorrhagic cystitis.
Conclusion: This study clearly demonstrates an increased prevalence of and association with hemorrhagic cystitis in COVID-19 patients in this tertiary care center. Therefore, routine investigations in SARS-CoV-2 infected cases, such as urine cytology, upper tract imaging, and cystoscopy, will aid in the early diagnosis and proactive management of COVID-19-associated cystitis.

Abstract:Background: Irrational prescribing practices have a negative impact on the health and economy of individuals and society as a whole, resulting in resource wastage and widespread health hazards. The aim of this study was to analyze the drug prescribing pattern in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Methods: This prospective study included outpatients with COPD. Various parameters were recorded, including patient age, gender, outpatient ID number, occupation, smoking history, alcohol consumption, disease condition details, co-existing diseases, and prescribed medication details. The drug selection was assessed based on the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines. Data was collected using a specially designed data entry form and tabulated. The results were expressed as percentages.
Results: The prescription data of 72 patients were analyzed in this study, comprising 58 males (80.56%) and 14 females (19.44%), with a mean age of 55.95 years. The male-to-female ratio was 4.14:1. Out of the total 72 patients, 62 (86.11%) were smokers, with 25 (40.32%) currently smoking and 37 (59.68%) being ex-smokers. Hypertension was the most common comorbidity, present in 35 (48.61%) patients. Inhalation was the most common route of drug administration in the study, followed by the oral route. The most frequently prescribed drugs were Formoterol (LABA) in 58 (81.56%) patients, Budesonide in 54 (75%), Acebrophylline in 44 (61.11%), while Terbutaline was the least used in 7 (9.72%) patients and Methylprednisolone in 6 (8.33%) patients.
Conclusion: The data revealed a low utilization of monotherapies, specifically long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), and a high utilization of combination therapies, particularly those containing inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). The drug prescribing pattern analysis aims to provide feedback and create awareness about appropriate medicine use.

Abstract:Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disorder that affects the joints, causing pain and stiffness. Its prevalence in India ranges from 22% to 39%. Considering the increasing life span and the burden it imposes on individuals and society, early detection or prediction of OA in high-risk groups is crucial for implementing preventive measures. Several risk factors, including weight, genetic factors, sex, previous traumas, occupational factors, physical activity, lifestyle, and age, are associated with osteoarthritis. The geometry of the articular surface may also play a significant role, especially in the sagittal plane. The posterior tibial slope (PTS), defined as the posterior inclination of the tibial plateau in relation to its longitudinal axis in the lateral view, is a determinant of altered joint biomechanics. However, there is a lack of studies examining the correlation between the PTS angle and the risk of knee osteoarthritis in the Indian population. This study aims to determine the value of, and confirm the association between changes in posterior tibial slope observed on radiographs and osteoarthritis.
Materials and Methods: After obtaining ethical approval, 153 individuals visiting the outpatient department were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic parameters such as age, sex, weight, height, co-morbidities, and medications were recorded. Knee examination findings, pain assessment using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were documented. Knee joint radiographs, including anteroposterior (AP) and lateral views, were examined for patients with early OA (Kellgren-Lawrence Grade I and II). The posterior tibial slope was measured by determining the angle between the tangent to the tibial plateau and the perpendicular direction to the Tibial Shaft Anatomical Axis (TSAA).
Results: The study included 153 individuals with early osteoarthritic knees (Grade I and II). The mean posterior tibial slope measured in our study was found to be 11.5 with a standard deviation of 1.34. The range of PTS in our study was between 7\(^o\) and 13\(^o\).
Conclusion: Our study reveals that the posterior tibial slope in patients with early osteoarthritis was higher compared to the known normal values in the Indian population, suggesting an increased posterior tibial slope in individuals with osteoarthritic degeneration. Therefore, the posterior tibial slope can be used as a marker for screening osteoarthritis and initiating appropriate early interventions.