Exploring the Knowledge and Attitudes of Physicians on Polypharmacy and Deprescribing in Clinical Practice: a Cross-Sectional Study.

Unlabelled: Objective: Polypharmacy, defined as the use of five or more medications, is increasingly prevalent among geriatric patients due to the complexity of managing multiple chronic conditions. This study aimed to evaluate physicians' knowledge of deprescribing, their familiarity with deprescribing tools and the factors influencing the deprescribing process.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 290 physicians from four prominent tertiary care centers in South India between October 2023 and March 2024.

Study of association and diagnostic utility of novel anthropometric and lipid indices for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A hospital-based study.

Context: Given the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) of 25% and an expected prevalence of 55.4% by 2040 and its associated complications, it is essential to prioritize large-scale screening programs in the general population.

Objectives: 1.

Serum Lactate Levels and Their Correlation With Hospital Outcomes in ICU Patients With Shock: A Cross-Sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Center.

Background And Aim: Shock is a life-threatening state characterized by inadequate tissue perfusion to meet metabolic demand, leading to organ failure and death. Serum lactate, a byproduct of anaerobic metabolism, has been identified as a significant biomarker for assessing shock severity and predicting outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between serial serum lactate levels and hospital outcomes in patients with shock admitted to the ICU at Manik Hospital.

Neuroplasticity in Action: Transforming Brain Function through Neurorehabilitation.

The capability of the human brain to redeploy in accordance to the activities and experiences is deemed as neuroplasticity. As a result, neuroplasticity can be visualized as a required adaptation to all brain processes. Broadly classified into structural, functional, biochemical and behavioural neuroplasticity, structural neuroplasticity includes neurogenesis and synaptogenesis.

Clinical Profile of Cerebral Sinus Venous Thrombosis: A Prospective Observational Study in South India.

Background: Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) is a thrombosis of the cerebral veins and dural sinuses. It is a challenging condition for a physician due to varied symptoms. We aimed to study the clinical, radiological, etiology, and outcome of CSVT in a rural population.

Importance of etiologies of secondary diabetes: How often do we think off in clinical practice?

The article "Secondary diabetes due to different etiologies: Four case reports" by Song , published in the , delves into the identification of rare causes of secondary diabetes and emphasizes the necessity for healthcare professionals to recognize these conditions. Failure to do so can result in treatment delays and compromised patient outcomes. The article discusses specific types of diabetes, including maturity onset of diabetes in young, pancreas-related diseases, endocrinopathies, drug-induced diabetes, infections, and congenital genetic syndromes associated with diabetes mellitus.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, kidney injury molecule-1, and periostin: Novel urinary biomarkers in diabetic nephropathy.

Background: Globally, diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the primary cause of chronic kidney disease. Currently, renal function is monitored indirectly using measures of serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and proteinuria. Novel urinary biomarkers utilized in the early stages of DN have been described; these indicators can be used in the early identification of the disease, which is important for initiating treatment to halt or impediment the advance of diabetic nephropathy.

Correlation of Serum Electrolyte Imbalances With Diabetic Duration and Medication Use: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study.

Background: Certain anti-diabetic medications may exacerbate electrolyte imbalances, potentially complicating glycemic control in diabetic patients. The present study aimed to correlate the serum electrolyte imbalances such as Na, K, Ca, Cl, and Mg with the duration of disease, glycemic control, and medication regimens.

Method: In this cross-sectional study, 31 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 30 healthy controls, with mean ages of 52.

Inter-trial Variation in the Sensitivity of Thermal Threshold Testing for the Diagnosis of Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: Thermal threshold testing (TTT) is a simple non-invasive approach for diagnosing diabetic neuropathy earlier. Conventionally the TTT is done in all four limbs and at least 6 trials are done to obtain the mean threshold, which is time consuming.

Aim: We propose to assess the validity and reliability of reduced number of trials of TTT in the lower limbs.

Outcome of COVID-19 infection in patients on antihypertensives: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection frequently have hypertension as a co-morbidity, which is linked to adverse outcomes. Antihypertensives may affect the outcome of COVID-19 infection.

Aim: To assess the effects of antihypertensive agents on the outcomes of COVID-19 infection.

Serum tumor markers: Can they clinically implicate in type 2 diabetes mellitus?

"Serum tumor markers expression (CA19-9, CA242, and CEA) and its clinical implications in type 2 diabetes mellitus" authored by Meng and Shi presents an observational case-control study investigating the correlation between tumor markers and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The study explores the diagnostic accuracy of tumor markers, particularly cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), CA242, and carcinoembryonic antigen, in poorly controlled T2DM patients with hemoglobin A1c levels exceeding 9%, employing receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Though study offers valuable insights into the potential utility of tumor markers in clinical practice, caution is advised regarding routine tumor marker testing due to challenges such as limited availability and cost.

Impact of high-salt diet in health and diseases and its role in pursuit of cancer immunotherapy by modulating gut microbiome.

Cancer chemotherapy remains an area of concern, as many of the therapies are uncomfortable involving side effects and unpleasant experiences. These factors could further reduce patient's quality of life, and even endanger their life. Many therapeutic strategies have been tried to reduce the unpleasant side effects and increase the treatment effectiveness; however, none have shown to have promising effects.

Assessing the Efficacy of the ARMOR Tool-Based Deprescribing Intervention for Fall Risk Reduction in Older Patients Taking Fall Risk-Increasing Drugs (DeFRID Trial): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Falls in older patients can lead to serious health complications and increased health care costs. Fall risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs) are a group of drugs that may induce falls or increase the tendency to fall (ie, fall risk). Deprescribing is the process of withdrawal from an inappropriate medication, supervised by a health care professional, with the goal of managing polypharmacy and improving outcomes.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and other neurotrophic factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus and their association with neuropathy.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with increased risk of morbidity and premature mortality due to its various complications. In an Indian study, the prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in type 2 diabetic subjects was shown to be 29.2%.

Vitamin D, selenium in type 2 diabetes and Hashimoto's thyroiditis: Is it effective?

The study by Feng , explores treatment approaches for these coexisting conditions. It emphasizes the potential advantages of selenium and vitamin D supplementation but also raises methodological and patient selection concerns. Findings indicate a complex interplay between interventions and disease markers, prompting the need for further research.

Chiglitazar and Thiazolidinedione in patients with type 2 diabetes: Which is better?

This published Meta-Analysis by Lin is an indirect comparison between two drugs Chiglitazar and Thiazolidinedione which are commonly used for glycemic control in type-II diabetes mellitus. In terms of safety and efficacy, this Meta-Analysis is inconclusive.

Analyzing the Outcomes of COVID-19 Infection on Patients With Comorbidities: Insights From Hospital-Based Study.

Introduction COVID-19 exhibits a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic or mild cases to severe respiratory distress and, in some instances, fatal outcomes. The pre-existing inflammatory state in the patient prior to exposure to COVID-19, which could be because of any etiology or comorbidity, has been associated with prolonged morbidity, and adverse outcomes like increased mortality have been found. This study endeavors to investigate the principal risk factors linked to the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19, such as age, gender, and co-morbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and others.

Assessment of Neuropathy by Temperature Threshold Testing in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Introduction: Diagnosing diabetic neuropathy is a challenge at times as it is asymptomatic. Diagnosing diabetic neuropathy involves the use of quantitative sensory testing, nerve conduction study, and autonomic testing. Tempearture threshold testing (TTT) can aid in diagnosing small fiber neuropathy at early stages.

Comprehensive, continuous, and compulsory monitoring of frailty in elderly.

Background: The increasing elderly population makes frailty an increasing concern in society with vulnerability to stress and functional decline. Unrecognised comorbidities are common among the elderly due to lack of mention by the patients. Physicians should be equipped with effective interviewing skills along with the use of screening tools to assess any impairments in activities of daily living, cognition and signs of depression.

Association of Vitamin D with Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease.

Vitamin D safeguards cardiovascular health by reducing inflammation and susceptibility to atheroma. This study aimed to evaluate the association of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its risk factors like body mass index (BMI), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and lipid profile with vitamin D. Patients of both genders aged over 18 years, who underwent coronary angiogram for cardiac symptoms such as chest pain, breathlessness, palpitation, or syncope, were enrolled in the present study.

Association of serum cathelicidin and Vitamin D levels with infectiousness in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis: A prospective cohort study.

Background: The immunomodulatory effects of Vitamin D expand to induce the synthesis of an antimicrobial peptide, cathelicidin. There is evidence showing altered levels of cathelicidin in tuberculosis (TB). It has been suggested that Vitamin D-mediated antimicrobial activity depends on its ability to induce cathelicidin.

Channeling of Brain Towards Engaging Sensorimotor Tasks for Inducing Hedonic Pleasure to Alleviate Blood Pressure in Hypertension.

Background: Hypertension is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is responsible for major deaths due to stroke and coronary heart disease. Several pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for reducing blood pressure have been tried earlier. Modulating brain regions such as prefrontal cortex (PFC) to channelize activities is an effective tool to target blood pressure.

Aluminum as a Possible Cause Toward Dyslipidemia.

Aluminum, the third most abundant metal present in the earth's crust, is present almost in all daily commodities we use, and exposure to it is unavoidable. The interference of aluminum with various biochemical reactions in the body leads to detrimental health effects, out of which aluminum-induced neurodegeneration is widely studied. However, the effect of aluminum in causing dyslipidemia cannot be neglected.

Takayasu arteritis, an atypical presentation as chronic kidney disease.

Takayasu arteritis, also known as "pulseless disease" usually affects major vessels like aorta and its branches, pulmonary arteries, and renal arteries. Hypertension is the common presentation. Chronic kidney disease involvement is less common.