Pulmonary dysfunction in children with beta thalassemia major in relation with iron overload - a cross sectional hospital based study

Background: Previously many patients with thalassemia major died from severe anemia during first decade, but with modern transfusion therapy many now survive beyond childhood. Because of such therapy, however excessive iron deposition occurs in lungs and causing respiratory dysfunction. Respiratory impairment occurs because of defective chelation and repeated transfusions. Objectives: To a) study pattern of respiratory impairment using spirometry, b) estimate iron overload by measuring serum ferritin levels, c) correlate a&b. Methodology:Thalassemia children >7year, on regular blood transfusion were included in the study after getting institutional ethical clearance .Standardised pulmonary function test was done using spirometry. Iron overload was assessed using serum ferritin levels. Severity of pulmonary dysfunction was correlated with serum ferritin levels. Results:Total of 42 children were included 62% were males and 38% were females (with median age 12yrs). By spirometry 95% had restrictive pattern of respiratory dysfunction. Mean ferritin value was 4152. Out of them10 (23.8%) mild, 25(59%) moderate and 5(12%) severe dysfunction based on FEV1 and FVC. The mean ferritin values in severe respiratory dysfunction is 6275 which is significantly higher when compared to moderate (4249) and mild (3066) pattern of respiratory dysfunction. None of the children had evidence of CCF. Significant correlation (p value=0.003) was found between severity of pulmonary dysfunction with ferritin values and also with weight of the child (p value=0.007). No other significant correlation found between severity pattern and transfusion index, age or height. Conclusion:Restrictive pattern is most common pulmonary dysfunction seen in chronic iron overloaded thalassemia major children. Regular blood transfusions with adequate chelation decrease incidence of pulmonary dysfunction. Screening of all thalassemia children using spirometry is need of the hour. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v6i5.11782Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.6(5) 2015 47-50

Clinical and Socio demographic profile of attendees at ART centre in a tertiary care hospital in Mangalore, India

Introduction: India has the third largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS. There is a need to study the profile of patients who come to ART centers and link their clinical and socio-demographic variables in the management. Moreover, it is important to understand the presentation of HIV disease in the local context and culture. The present study is aimed at identifying the socio-demographic characteristics, clinical presentations of HIV/AIDS patients, opportunistic infections and the possible risk factors for acquiring HIV infection at an ART centre of Government Wenlock hospital, situated in Karnataka state of India. Materials and Methods: In this study 102 HIV patients attending the HIV clinic were enrolled and they were followed for a period of one year with relevant investigations.Results: Of 102 patients 69 were males and 33 were females.The mean age of the study subjects at the time of diagnosis was 38.06. Heterosexual contact was the commonest mode of transmission in96 (94.12%) patients. History suggestive of a risk factor for HIV transmission could not be elicited in 4 (3.92%) patients. Fever (71.5%), weight loss (62.74%), cough (51.96%) and chronic diarrhea (43.9%) were the common presenting symptoms. The most common opportunistic infection was oral candidiasis (66.67%) followed bytuberculosis (22.54%) and pneumocystis pneumonia (13.72%). Significant number of patients (30.37%) developed Zidovudine induced anemia and females were more prone for Zidovudine induced anemia as compared to males. CD4 counts of the patients were significantly inversely correlated with the number of symptoms and the number of opportunistic infections. Conclusion: Majority of patients were of low socioeconomic status and in productive age group with heterosexual contact being commonest mode of transmission.Significant number of patients developed Zidovudine induced anemia and females were more prone. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v6i5.11622Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.6(5) 2015 61-65

Study of Depression and Its Associated Factors among Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Coastal South India

Background. Depression is one of the most prevalent psychiatric diagnoses seen in HIV-positive individuals. Women with HIV are about four times more likely to be depressed than those who are not infected. Aims. To assess the sociodemographic and clinical correlates of depression among women living with HIV/AIDS. Setting and Design. One public and one private hospital in Mangalore, Coastal South India, and cross-sectional design. Methods and Materials. Study constituted of 137 HIV-positive women, depression was assessed using BDI (Beck Depression Inventory), and social support was assessed using Lubben Social Network Scale. Statistical Analysis. All analysis was conducted using SPSS version 11.5. Chi-square test with P value less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results. Among 137 HIV-positive women, 51.1% were depressed. Around 16% were having moderate to high risk for isolation. Depression was statistically significant in rural women, widowed women, and lower socioeconomic class women. Conclusion. Depression is highly prevalent among women living with HIV which is still underdiagnosed and undertreated, and there is a need to incorporate mental health services as an integral component of HIV care.

Association of depression with social support and self-esteem among HIV positives

BACKGROUND

Depression in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positives has implications such as poor drug compliance, lower quality of life, faster progression to full blown Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and higher mortality.

AIMS

To assess depression, social support and self-esteem in HIV positives and to find out the association of depression with social support and self-esteem among HIV positive patients.

SETTING AND DESIGN

Kasturba Medical College (KMC) Hospital, a tertiary care hospital, Mangalore, India and cross-sectional design.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Study constituted of 105 HIV positive subjects; depression was assessed using BDI (Beck depression inventory), social support was assessed using Lubben social network scale and self-esteem was assessed using Rosenberg self-esteem scale.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Kappa statistics was used to measure the agreement of depression assessed by BDI with clinical diagnosis of depression. Logistic regression analyses were done to find out predictors of depression among HIV positives. All analyses were conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11.5.

RESULTS

Depression was found to be present in 43.8% of HIV positives. Among the study subjects, 10.5% had high risk for isolation and low self-esteem was found only among 5.7%. In univariate analysis both gender and self-esteem were significantly associated with depression whereas in multivariate analysis only self-esteem was found to be significantly associated with depression.

CONCLUSION

The present study shows a high prevalence of depression in HIV positive patients along with the importance of self-esteem.