International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences

Full Length Research Paper

Sleep disorders in 45–69-year-old population in Russia/Siberia (Epidemiology study)

Valery V. Gafarov^1,2,  Igor V. Gagulin^1,2,  Elena A. Gromova^1,2,  Almira V. Gafarova^1,2

¹Federal State Budgetary Institution, the Research Institute of Internal Medicine of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia.

²The Interdepartmental Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia.

*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected] Tel./Fax: +738322642516

Accepted 27 June, 2013

Abstract

The aim of the study was to elucidate the epidemiological characteristics of the sleep disturbances in population of Novosibirsk (Siberia, Russia). A randomized representative sample of 45–69-year-old residents of both genders (n = 4171) was studied in a framework of the HAPIEE study in Novosibirsk from 2003 to 2005. The sleep disturbances were studied by using the Jenkins Sleep Questionnaire (JSQ). The test was validated for the Russian population in the course of a large-scale epidemiological study performed in a framework of the WHO MONICA Program from 1984 to 1994. The incidence rate of the extreme and pronounced sleep disturbances was 21% of the population with female predominance (24% in women vs. 18% in men). The patterns of the sleep disturbances lasting 15 and more nights per month were as follows: frequent spontaneous sleep interruptions (20%); anxious thoughts while falling asleep (10%); unsatisfying sleep (10%); and disturbing dreams (7%). The rate of the disorders with the insufficient or excessive sleep duration was 7%. Sleep duration of less than 5 hours per night was found in 5% of population; sleep duration of more than 10 hours per night was detected in less than 2% of population. Extreme and pronounced abnormalities in the sleep duration were found in 61% of population. Data showed high prevalence of the sleep disturbances associated with a high level of psychosocial factors in the study population. The study demonstrated a great demand in prevention of the sleep disturbances in 45–69-year-old population.

Key words: Epidemiology, population study, sleep disorders, insomnia, sleep disturbances.

Full Length Research Paper

Quality of life and its correlates among substance dependent subjects: A study from a tertiary care centre in northeastern part of India

*Om Prakash Giri¹, Mona Srivastava², Ravi Shankar³,

¹Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (UP) India  221005.

²Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Sciences ,Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (UP) India  221005.

³Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (UP) India  221005.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: d[email protected] Tel. 9336910619

Accepted 09 July, 2013

Abstract

Substance Abuse is a worldwide problem that causes various sequelae, which severely affect physical and mental health, social and daily life. Quality of Life (QOL) is increasingly recognized as an important outcome measure in treatment studies and for service evaluation. This study assessed the QOL in Alcohol Dependent (AD) and Opioids dependent (OD) and compared the same with a control group (NC). It was further aimed to study the relationship between QOL and specified socio-demographic characteristic features across the three groups. A cross-sectional assessment of the three groups of subjects was made. AD and OD subjects not in active withdrawal or intoxication phase were included in the study, the third group included the normal controls. QOL assessment was made with the World Health Organization-QOL-Bref Hindi version. The comparison of the various domains in QOL was done by applying ANOVA test. All the domains of well-being on the basis of WHOQOL scale revealed a significant difference when compared to the normal controls. In order to assess the effect of socio-economic variables on the quality of life we applied the multiple linear regression analysis.  The results did not show any difference across the three groups. The study indicates that opioid dependent and alcohol dependent subjects experience a lower QOL when compared with the normal group, however when the opioid group was compared to the alcohol dependent group there was a lower QOL in the OD group. Social Support scores also had no significant effect on any domains of QOL in both the OD and AD groups.

Key word: Drug dependence, quality of life (QOL), World Health Organization, quality of life (WHOQOL-Brief), social support.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 3 (5), pp. 460-463, July, 2013. International Scholars Journals

Full length Research Paper

Bacteriological profile and antibiogram of aerobic burn wound isolates in a tertiary care hospital, Odisha, India

Muktikesh Dash^1*, Pooja Misra², Siddhartha Routaray³

¹Department of Microbiology, Maharaja Krishna Chandra Gajapati Medical Collage and Hospital, Berhampur University, Berhampur, Odisha, India.

²Department of Radiodiagnosis, Maharaja Krishna Chandra Gajapati Medical Collage and Hospital, Berhampur University, Berhampur, Odisha, India.

³Department of Anesthesia, SCB Medical College and Hospital, Utkal University, Cuttack, Odisha, India.

*Corresponding author E-mail: - [email protected]. Tel. +91 9861046640, 0680-2292526

Accepted 09 July, 2013

Abstract

Approximately 73 percent of all post-burn deaths are directly or indirectly related to septic processes. The objective of this retrospective study at a tertiary care hospital, Odisha, India was to isolate aerobic bacterial pathogens and study its antimicrobial resistant pattern in order to establish empiric antimicrobial strategies for the early treatment of imminent septic events. During three year period (January 2010 to December 2012), 193 burn wound swabs were collected from 187 hospitalized patients. Isolation and identification of microorganisms was done using standard procedure and each isolate’s antimicrobial resistant pattern was determined by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. From 193 swabs, 171 (88.6%) culture positive swabs and 176 isolates were obtained. The most common isolate was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (49.4%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (22.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (13.1%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (4.5%). P. aeruginosa was least resistant to piperacillin/tazobactam (12.6%) and imipenem (9.2%) and 59 percent methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was 100% sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid. High prevalence of multidrug resistant bacteria in our hospital setting suggest continuous surveillance of burn wound infections and need for development of strict infection control practices.

Key words: Antimicrobial resistance; burn wound; swabs; aerobic bacteria; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Staphylococcus aureus.

Full Length Research Paper

Urinary tract infection during pregnancy at Al-khoms, Libya

Tamalli. M¹., Bioprabhu Sangar³ and Alghazal, M. A.²

¹Dept. of Microbiology, Science College, Almargeb University, Alkhoms, Libya.

² Dept.of Medical Laboratory, College of Medical Technology, Misurata, Libya. 

³Dept. of Microbiology, Medical College, Almargeb University, Alkhoms, Libya.

*Corresponding author. Email:[email protected]

Accepted 18 June, 2013

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most common bacterial infections during pregnancy. Untreated UTI can be associated with serious obstetric complications. To determine the prevalence and identify the etiological agents associated with asymptomatic bacteriurea in antenatal mothers in two private hospitals (Gynecology and obstetrics department) at Alkhoms City, Libya. Anti-microbial sensitivity patterns of the common uropathogen were also determined. A total of 300 pregnant women were enrolled. UTI was diagnosed using mid stream urine culture on standard culture media and urinalysis was done using microscopic examination. The prevalence of bacteriuria among the pregnant women was 30%. It was clear from the results that there was an association of gestational age, education, age, sexual activity, previous history of UTI and socio-economic conditions with bacteriuria. Escherichia coli was the most common (64.4%) bacterial isolate followed by Proteus spps. (16.7%), Klebsiella spps. (13.3%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosae (5.6). E. coli, Proteus spps. and Klebsiella spps. were highly sensitive to nitrofurantoin, ofloxacin, cefotaxim, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and amikacin. Greater degree of resistance was seen to ampicillin and cotrimoxazole. Pseudomonas aeruginosae isolates were resistant to all tested antimicrobial agents except amikacin and nitrofurantoin. All pregnant women should be screened for UTI with a urine culture, treated with antibiotics if the culture is positive and then retested for cure to prevent complications with all the added benefits to the mother and the fetus. In addition, health education has recommended to all pregnant females specifically those of low socio-economic level.

Key words: Urinary tract infection (UTI), pregnancy, bacteria, antenatal, urinalysis, pregnant women, urine culture. 

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 450-454, June, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of ocular morbidity of patients attending ophthalmic outreach services in rural Ethiopia

Zelalem Addisu Mehari

Nigist Eleni Mohammed Memorial Hospital, Eye unit, P.O. Box 22, Hossana, Ethiopia. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 29 February, 2013

Abstract

To determine the prevalence of eye diseases and visual impairment among patients presenting outreach site in rural Ethiopia. A cross-sectional survey for ocular morbidity among self selected patients during ophthalmic outreach campaign in Kersa town, Ethiopia, in June 2012 was conducted. A total of 214 patients underwent detailed eye examinations including visual acuity test, intra-ocular pressure measurements, anterior and posterior segment evaluation and refraction. A total of 214 patients were examined, where males comprised of 50.5%. Ocular diseases were quite prevalent among the study group.  Conjunctivitis was the primary ocular morbidity accounting for 29%, followed by cataract (16.3%), presbyopia (15.4%), refractive errors (7.9%), Blepharitis 7.5%. Twenty four patients (11.2%) had uncorrected visual acuity of less than 6/60 in the better eye. The prevalence of visual impairment (VA less than 6/18) was 19.1% (41/214) in the study subjects. Eye diseases are common amongst rural Ethiopian community. Therefore, screening for eye diseases is important in identifying those patients at risk of getting blind and providing the right treatment to them and also give a chance to be treated for those who have logistic problems. The majority of the causes for ocular morbidity, visual impairments as well as blindness in the study were either preventable or treatable.

Key words: Ocular morbidity, Ethiopia, visual impairment, presbyopia, outreach campaign. 

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 3 (6), pp. 441-449, June, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full length research paper

Evaluation of the biochemical and anti-snake venom effects of Calliandra Portoricensis extract fractions in wistar rat models challenged with venom of carpet viper (Echis Ocellatus)

Henry P Onyeama²; Godwin O Igile¹; Bob IA Mgbeje¹; Mbeh U Eteng^1; Patrick E Ebong¹ 

¹Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, P.M.B 1115, Calabar, Nigeria.

²National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected].

Accepted 18 March, 2013

Abstract

Study evaluated effects of flavonoid, polyphenolic and whole ethanolic Calliandra portoricensis leaf fraction on some biochemical indices of venom toxicity in albino Wistar rat. Thirty rats of both sexes were divided into five groups of six rats each. Groups 1 and 2 were normal control (NC) and viperian venom control (VC) respectively. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were venomized with viperian venom and subsequently treated with anti-dote fractions of flavonoid, polyphenol and whole leaf extracts respectively. Blood samples were analysed for biochemical indices.  Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids and polyphenols. AST and ALT activity were significantly higher in all treated groups compared to NC. Creatine kinase activity increased significantly in VC compared to NC. These values decreased significantly in fractions/extract treated groups. HGB level decreased significantly while RBC and WBC counts increased significantly in the VC compared to NC. HGB and RBC levels were reversed towards normal by treatment with the fractions/whole extract. Flavonoid fraction only, reversed WBC levels towards normal. Elevated LDL/HDL in VC was decreased towards NC by the plant fractions/extracts. SOD and GPx activity increased significantly in plant fractions/extracts compared to NC and VC. The plant’s phytochemical constituents may have significantly lowered lipid peroxidation induced by viperian venom and thus ameliorate hematotoxic effects. This may account for the protection against cardio-toxicity and the shock that normally accompanies viper envenomation.

Key words: Snake venom, envenomation, Calliandra portoricensis, phytochemicals, biochemical indices, wistar rats.